CORRESPONDENCE 

WITH 

DIPLOMATIC AND NAVAL OFFICERS 



CONCERNING 

THE RELATIONS OP THE UNITED STATES 



TO THE 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, 



INCLUDING 



A REPRINT OF SENATE EXECUTIVE DOCUMENTS NO. 76 AND 
NO. 77, FIFTtf-SECOND CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION. 



WASHINGTON: 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1893. 



aw; 



53d Congress, ) HOUSE OF EEPRESENTATIVES. ( Ex. Doc. 
2d Session. ] (No. 48. 



HAWAIIAN COEEESPONHENCE. 



MESSAGE 

FROM THE 



PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 



TRANSMUTING 



A report of the Secretary of State, ivitji copies of the instructions given to 
Mr. Albert S. Willis, the representative of the United States now in 
the Hawaiian Islands, and also the correspondence since March 4, 1889, 
concerning the relations of this Government to those islands. 



•ecember 18, 1893. — Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be 

printed. 



To the House of Representatives: 

In compliance with a resolution passed by your honorable body on 
the 13th instant, I hereby transmit a report of the Secretary of State, 
with copies of the instructions given to Mr. Albert S. Willis, the rep- 
resentative of tlie United States now in the Hawaiian Islands, and also 
the correspondence since the 4th day of March, 1889, concerning the 
relations of this Government to those islands. 

In making this communication, I have withheld only a dispatch from 
the former minister to Hawaii numbered 70, under date of October 8, 
1892, and a dispatch from the present minister, numbered 3, under 
date of November 16, 1893, because, in my opinion, the publication of 
these two papers would be incompatible with the public interest. 

Grover Cleveland. 

Executive Mansion, 

Washington, December 18, 1893. 



The President: 

The Secretary of State, to whom was referred a resolution adopted 
by the House of Eepresentatives on the 13th instant, requesting the 
President to communicate to that House — 

if not inconsistent with the public interest, copies of the instructions given to 
the representative of the United States now in the Hawaiian Islands in regard to 
the protectioD of the lives and property of Americau citizens there, or any contem- 
plated change in the form of government, and all correspondence since the fourth 
day of March, eighteen hundred and eighty-nine in regard to Hawaii, not already 
transmitted to Congress; 



2 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Las the honor to lay before the President, with a view to his determi- 
nation touching their transmission to the House of Eepresentatives in 
response to that resolution, copies of the correspondence called for. 

In order that nothing might be omitted that may be deemed to come 
within the purview of the resolution, the Secretary of State has en- 
deavored to include all correspondence of a political character con- 
cerning the Hawaiian Islands. It has seemed advisable in so doing to 
incorporate also sundry papers within the specified period which have 
been heretofore communicated to both Hotises of Congress, together 
with the correspondence of the described character communicated to 
the Senate in February and March last, and printed by order of that 
body, to the end that the present collection may fairly respond to the 
request of the House of Eepresentatives. 

Eespectfully submitted. 

W. Q. Gresham. 

Department of State, 

Washington, December 18, 1893. 



LIST OF PAPERS. 



Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine, No. 231), May 1, 1889. 

Same to same, No. 241, May 8, 1889. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Merrill, No. 127, May 27, 1889. 

Same to same, No. 128, May 31, 1889. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Merrill, No. 131, June 20 ; 1889. 

Same to same, No. 132, June 27, 1889. 

Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine, No. 249, July 9, 1889. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 1, July 12, 1889. 

Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine, No. 253, July 26, 1889. 

Same to same, No. 254, July 29, 1889. 

Same to same, No. 255, August 1, 1889. 

Same to same, telegram, August 2, 1889. 

Same to same, No. 257, August 6, 1889. 

Mr. Moore to Merrill, No. 136, August 12, 1889. 

Mr. Wharton to Merrill, No. 137, August 22, 1889. 

Same to same, No. 138, August 23, 1889. 

Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine, No. 260, August 29, 1889. 

Same to same, No. 262, September 7, 1889. 

Mr. Adee to Mr. Merrill, No. 139, September 10, 1889. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 2 bis, September 25, 1889. 

Same to same, No. 3, October 7, 1889. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 5, October 16, 1889. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 6, October 17, 1889. 

Same to same, No. 7, October 18, 1889. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 6, October 31, 1889. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 7, November 4, 1889. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 10, November 4, 1889. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 8, November 6, 1889. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 11, November 14, 1889. 

Mr. Adee to Mr. Stevens, No. 11, November 16, 1889. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 12, December 3, 1889. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 17, February 7, 1890. 

Same to same, No. 18, Februarv 10, 1890. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr, Stevens, No. 17, March 4, 1890, 

Same to same, No. 19, March 6, 1890, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 20, March 20, 1890. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 22, April 7, 1890. 

Same to same, No. 24, April 24, 1890. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 24, May 20, 1890. 

Same to same, No. 25, May 28, 1890. 

Same to same, No. "26, June 9, 1890. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 27, June 14, 1890. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 27, June 26, 1890. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 29, Julv 3, 1890. 

Mr. Adee to Mr. Stevens, No. 31, July 14, 1890.- 

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens, No. 2, August 16. 1890. 

Mr. Steveus to Mr. Blaine, No. 30, August 19, 1890. 

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens, No. 4, September 10. 1890. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 2, September 17. 1890. 

Same to same, No. 3, September 25, 1890'. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 8, October 15, 1890. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 7, October 22, 1890. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 9, November 12. i*i)0. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 8, November 14, 1890, 

Same to same, No. 9, Nov. 20, 1890. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 11, December 5, 1890. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 16, Februar y 5, 1891. 

Same to same, No. 18, February 9, 1891. 

Same to same, No. 19, February 16, 1891. 

Same to same, No. 20, Februarv 22, 1891. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 15, February 28, 1891. 

Same to same, No. 16, March 2, 1891. 

Same to same, No. 19, March 10, 1891. 

Same to same, No. 20, March 14, 1891. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 21, March 26, 1891. 

Same to same, No. 23, April 4, 1891. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Wharton, No. 28, July 23. 1x91. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 30, August 20, 1891. 

Same to same, No. 31, September 3, 1891. 

Same to same, No. 32, September 5, 1891. 

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens, No. 28, September 9, 1891. 

Same to same, No. 30, September 22, 1891. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 34, October 15, 1891. 

Same to same, No. 46, February 8, 1892. 

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens, No. 39, March 3, 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 48, March 8, 1892. 

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens, No. 41, March 19. 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 50, March 19, 1892. 

Same to same, No. 52, April 2, 1892. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens, No. 46, April 12, 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 56, May 21, 1892. 

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens, No. 50, June 7, 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 57, June 11, 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 64, September 9, 1892. 

Same to same, No. 65, September 14, 1892. 

Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens, No. 57, September 29. 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 71, October 19, 1892. 

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. No. 59, October 26, 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 72, October 31, 1892. 

Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens, No. 61, November 5, 1892. 

Same to same, No. 62, November 8, 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 73, November 8, 1892. 

Same to same, No. 74, November 20, 1892. 

Same to same, No. 75, November 28, 1892. 

Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens, No. 65, December 1, 1892. 

Same to same, No. 67, December 23, 1892. 

Same to same, No. 68, December 23, 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, telegram, January 18, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 79, January 18, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 80 January 19, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 81, January 26, 1893. 

Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens, telegram, .January 28, 1893. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, telegram, February I, 1893, 

Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens, No. 70, February i. 1893. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 82, February 1, 1893, 



4 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Same to same, No. 83, February 1, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 84, February 1, 1893. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, telegram, February 8, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 85, February 8. 1893. 

Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens, telegram, February 14, 1893. 

Same to same, telegram, February 15, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 72, February 16, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 73, February 16, 1893. 

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens, No. 74, February 17, 1893. 

Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens, telegram, February 22, 1893. 

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens, No. 75, February 23, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 76, February 24, 1893. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 86, February 27. 1893. 

Same to same, No. 87, February 27, 1893. 

Same to same, telegram, March 1, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 88, March 1, 1893. 

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens, No. 77, March 2, 1893. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Gresham, No. 89, March 7, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 90, March 7, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 91, March 7, 1893. 

Mr. Gresham to Mr. Stevens, No. 79, March 10, 1893. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Gresham, No. 92, March 15, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 93, March 24, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 94, April 4, 1893. 

Mr. Gresham to Mr. Stevens, No. 81, April 18, 1893. 

Mr. Gresham to Mr. Stevens, telegram. April 25, 1893. 

Mr. Aclee to Mr. Stevens, No. 82, April 27, 1893. 

Mr. Gresham to Mr. Stevens, No. 83, May 4, 1893. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Gresham, No. 96, May 18, 1893. 

Mr. Blount to Mr. Gresham, No. 1, May 24, 1893. 

Same to same. No. 2, May 24, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 3, May 29, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 4, June 1, 1893. 

Same to same. No. 5, June 1, 1893. 

Mr. Gresham to Mr. Blount. No. 5, June 23. 1893. 

Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresham, No. 1, November 6, 1893. 

Same to same, telegram, November 6, 1893. 

Same to same, telegram, November 11, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 2, November 11, 1893. 

Same to same, telegram, November 16, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 4, November 16, 1893. 

Same to same, No. 5, November 18, 1893. 

Mr. Gresham to Mr. Willis, telegram, November 24, 1893. 

Same to same, telegram, December 3, 1893. 

Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresham, telegram, December 4, 1893. 

Mr. Thurston to Mr. Gresham, December 5, 1893. 



Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 239.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, May 1, 1889. 

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that Her Eoyal Highness 
Princess Katulani, aged about 14 years, daughter of the late Princess 
Likelike and Hon. A. S. Oleghorn, will leave here on the 10th instant, 
going direct to England via San Francisco and New York. 

The princess will travel in company with Mrs. T. E. Walker, the 
wife of the British vice-consul at Honolulu, and intends remaining in 
England, under the charge of Mrs. Walker, about one year, when Mr. 
Cleghorn, as he informs me, will visit Europe and return with the 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



5 



princess, visiting the principal cities in America, when they hope to be 
able to avail themselves of an opportunity to pay their respects to the 
President of the United States. 

His Majesty the King contemplates visiting Paris, and intended 
leaving here at the same time as Princess Kaiulani, but I am informed 
he has determined to delay his departure until some time next month. 

During the absence of His Majesty, Her Eoyal Highness Princess 
Liliuokalani, heir apparent th the throne, and sister of the King, will 
be named as regent. 

As to the route through and the time to be spent in the United 
States, the King has not .determined. 
I have, etc., 

Geo. W. Merrill. 



Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 241.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, May 8, 1889. 

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the U. S. S. Alert departed 
for Apia on the 18th ultimo. 

The only national vessel now in the harbor is Her British Majesty's 
ship Cormorant, and evidently it is the intention of the British Govern- 
ment to retain a naval vessel in Hawaiian waters indefinitely. 

Owing to the large American interests in Hawaii, and in the absence 
of cable communication, the comparatively isolated condition of the 
islands, and in view of an approaching political campaign, in which, 
no doubt, much animosity will be engendered, it is hoped it will be 
deemed advisable to so arrange that a United States ship will be able 
to remain in the waters of Hawaii. 

While it is hoped that no occasion, will offer for the employment of a 
naval force, yet I am convinced that the presence of passive power 
often prevents the maturing of turbulent schemes. 
I have, etc., 

George W. Merrill. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Merrill. 

No. 127.] Department of State, 

Washington, May 27, 1889. 
Sir : I have received your No. 241 of the 8th instant, representing 
the circumstances under which you regard it advisable for a United 
States ship of war to remain for the present in Hawaiian waters. 

A copy of your dispatch has been submitted for the consideration of 
the Secretary of the Navy. 
I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



6 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Merrill; 

Xo. 128.] Department of State, 

Washington, May 31, 1889. 
Sir : Adverting to my No. 127 of tlie 27th instant, I have now to 
apprise yon of the receipt of a letter from the Secretary of the Navy 
of that date saying that the Adams, now fitting for service at the Mare 
island navy-yard, was ordered some days since to proceed to Honolulu 
as soon as ready for sea. 
I am, etc., 

James Gk Blaine. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Merrill 

No. 131.] Department of State, 

Washington, June 20. 1889. 
Sie : Your dispatches numbered 239 to 212, inclusive, have been 
received. 

I am, sir, etc., 

James G. Blatne. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Merrill 

No. 132.] Department of State* 

Washington, June 27, 1889. 
Transmits Mr. Merrill's letter of recall as minister. 



Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 219.] Legati'on of the United States, 

Honolulu, July 9, 1889. 

Sir : 1 have the honor to inform you that the anniversary of the 
Independence of the United States was celebrated here with much 
enthusiasm, and the 1th instant was observed as a general holiday by 
both native and foreign residents. 

The Government offices and the business houses in tbe city were 
generally closed. 

A reception was held at the legation and was largely attended by 
all nationalities. 

I inclose clippings from each of the daily papers, Advertiser and 
Bulletin, giving accounts of the proceedings of the day. 
I have, etc., 

Ed. AY. Merrill. 



[Inclosure 1 in Xo. 249— "Daily Advertiser.] 

Fourth of July — How the glorious (lay was eel eh rated — Salutes, music, regatta, literary 
exercises, field sj)orts, rifie practice, hall. etc. 

The greater part of the evening and night of the 3d of July resounded in firing of 
pistols and guns and the letting off of fireworks of different kinds, and the morning 
of the Fourth -was heralded by similar demonstrations, and a salute of thirteen guns 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



7 



from the shore battery. At an early hour the population was astir, and holiday 
attire was the rule among those who could afford it. 

THE REGATTA. 

The rowing and yacht regattas were the first sports on the programme, and the 
wharves at 7 :45 were crowded with people. 

At 8 a. m. the tugboat Eleu left her wharf with the committee, to which had been 
committed the management of the regatta, and proceeded out to the harbor entrance. 

Soon afterwards the six-oared gig race began by two boats starting simultane- 
ously from the starting line and maintaining a close contest for several hundred 
yards. Finally the Alice M. forged ahead of the LiliuoJcaluni and maintained the 
lead until the finish, when the Alice M. won by about twenty boat lengths. Time 
of the boats : Alice M., 25 minutes ; Liliuolcalani, 25 minutes, 25 seconds. 

The next was a six-oared gig race in which four boats started — the three war ves- 
sels, Alert, Espiegle, and Pilcomayo, having one boat each ; and there was also a boat, 
the Kapiolani, manned by a native crew. The Hawaiian boat led from the start, and 
gradually increased its lead until the finish, when it entered the starting line about 
200 yards ahead of the American boat, which was second. Until the home stretch 
was more than half done there was a close contest between the American and English 
boats. But finally the Englishmen fell astern, manfully pulling to keep up, but the 
Americans steadily forged ahead. The Chilian boat was far astern. In going out 
of the harbor the Chilian boat fouled the American boat, which had commenced to 
gain on the Englishman, and between the two latter the race was well contested 
throughout. To and around the bell buoy, and up to the light-house on the home 
stretch, the American boat gradually forged ahead of the Englishman and came in 
second, the Hawaiian boat winning the race. Following is the time taken by each 
boat: Kapiolani, the native boat, 29 minutes 10 seconds; Alert, the American boat, 
31 minutes; Puaala, the English boat, 31 minutes 55 seconds; Pilcomayo, the Chilian 
boat, 33 minutes 30 seconds. 

The yacht race began at 9 :35 a. in., when a beautiful flying start was made. Five 
yachts, over five tons register, went off almost together, and spinnakers were set 
during the run out of the harbor. 

BALLOON ASCENSION. 

At the time of the start, Melville's balloon shot up from the slopes of Punchbowl 
hill, and very quickly reached an altitude of nearly 2,000 feet. The aeronaut was 
seen like a speck clinging to a rope below the balloon, but before many minutes 
elapsed the huge inflated bag was noticed to be descending rapidly. There was 
no parachute jump, and the balloon reached the ground in the neighborhood of 
Kakaako. 

By this time the five yachts had reached the harbor entrance, and the large quan- 
tity of sail that they spread gave a fascinating appearance to these aquatic racers. 
They kept well together as far as could be seen from the P. M. Co.'s wharf, and were 
closely followed by the steam tug Eleu, from the deck of which vessel their move- 
ments were more easily observed. The names of the five yachts were Sealant, Spray, 
Hawaii, Helen e, SbiidKaJiiMlani. These all started; but the latter, the Kahihilani, 
did not finish. At the stake boat, opposite the Hon. W. G. Irwin's residence, the 
following was the order in rounding: Hawaii 1st, Spray 2d, Healani 3d, Helene 4th, 
Kahihilani 5th. At the Pearl Harbor stake boat the order was Ha waii 1st, Helene 2d, 
Healani 3d, Spray 4th. At the harbor entrance the order was : Healani 1st, Helene 
2d, Ha waii 3d, Spray 4th. The time taken by the yachts was : Healani, 4 hours 8 min- 
utes 32 seconds; Spray, 4 hours 14 minutes 16 seconds; Helene, 4 hours 14 minutes 30 
seconds ; Hawaii, 4 hours 16 minutes 4 seconds. 

SECOND-CLASS YACHT RACE. 

At 10 a. m. eight small yachts, under 5 tons register, started in the wake of the 
five larger ones that left the harbor half an hour ago. The spread of canvas was 
even larger in proportion than on the larger vessels, and the speed of these smaller 
crafts appeared to be^equally rapid. They all kept close together in rounding the 
reef, which operation"was done in very beautiful style. The names of these yachts 
were Edith L., Kaohinani, PooMi, Laura, Onward, Laura Boone, Park-street, and 
Pauline. The latter four, Onward, Laura Boone, Parle street, and Pauline, did not 
finish. The time of these yachts was as follows : Edith L., 3 hours 49 seconds ; Kao- 
hinani, 3 hours 50 seconds; PoJcii, 3 hours 21 minutes 41 seconds; Laura, 3 hours 24 
minutes 52 seconds. Judge's decision withheld. 



8 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



The boat-boys' race was rowed at 10:18 a. m. There were four boats that started, 
but only three came in to finish, as follows: Flying Fish, 14 minutes 2 seconds; Ala- 
meda, 14 minutes 4 seconds; JBeneda, 14 minutes 10 seconds. 

The literary exercises took place at 10 o'clock at the opera house. The audience 
was small, the house being not more than half filled, owing to attractions in other 
parts of the city; but those who were there were well repaid. Berger's band 
opened the exercises with a medley of national airs. Prayer was then offered by 
Eev. George Wallace. His excellency George W. Merrill, American minister resi- 
dent, made a few introductory remarks appropriate to the day and the occasion. 
This was the fifth time he has presided on similar occasions, the first having been in 
1885. 

After the singing of the opening hymn, Mr. A. V. Gear read the Declaration of In- 
dependence in a clear voice, occupying twelve minutes. This was followed by the 
choir and audience singing "My country, 'tis of Thee." 

Mr. Merrill then introduced Eev. E. G.Porter, of Lexington, Mass., as the orator 
of the day, stating that the name was one that bore honorable mention in American 
history. 

ME. PORTER'S ADDRESS. 

Mr. Chairman, fellow-countrymen, ladies and gentlemen: When the invitation of 
your committee reached me a few days ago I was on the coast of Hawaii, returning 
from a trip to the volcano. My first thought was to decline the honor, as my time 
was wholly occupied in studying these islands, but on reaching Honolulu I was 
assured that I could meet the requirements of the occasion by giving such thoughts 
concerning our country as might readily occur to me as a traveler. AVith this 
understanding I have accepted the position, feeling that my refusal would be a poor 
return for the many acts of kindness extended to me during my visit. 

We are assembled to commemorate an event in our history which is dear to every 
American heart — an event to which "the glorious Fourth" has been consecrated as 
the chief festival in our political calendar. Whoever has spent his boyhood in the 
States will recall the thrill of excitement with which the great holiday has always 
been ushered in. I confess I was hardly expecting to find in any foreign country 
such a demonstration as we had last night and this morning— the sharp and familiar 
explosives around your houses, revealing the presence of youthful patriots, with 
unabated zeal, the salute of thirteen guns from the shore battery at sunrise, the 
display of the national colors on so many private houses, on the shipping in the 
harbor, and even on the tramcars and carriage buses in the streets. And here in 
this large opera house we have the inspiring strains of national music and choral 
song to aid us in worthily celebrating the day. You have also made generous pro- 
vision for aquatic and field sports which are sure to be in order at this time. 

We are nominally commemorating the achievements of our country's Independence 
in 1776, the official declaration of which has just been read. We shall never forget 
the men who signed that immortal document, nor the results that flowed from it. 
The nation can never outgrow its earlv history. It will never be ashamed of its 
birth. 

But the present year is suggestive of other events, and we need not dwell now 
upon the independence which the fathers secured for us, nor even the later conflict 
upon the question of political union which Webster argued with such eloquence in 
the Senate, and which President Lincoln maintained when he called the nation to 
arms. Those great issues are settled — we hope forever — and Ave can turn our 
thoughts the more willingly to themes relating to the development of our country 
in various directions. 

The speaker then referred to the recent celebration in New York commemorating 
the inauguration of the first President under the Constitution; to the, Victorian era, 
which covers a little more than half of the entire century of our national existence; 
to the character of the nation's founders; to the stability of American political insti- 
tutions, and to the fact that not a country in Europe is now so firm and prosperous 
as the American Republic ; which was owing in a large measure to the general diffu- 
sion of knowledge, which made the people the ruling power. He spoke of the wide 
distribution of property in America compared with other countries; to the munifi- 
cent gifts of charity for pnblic libraries, technical schools, colleges, and universities, 
now amounting to millions annually. Our foreign relations were referred too, and 
the respect shown by not only European nations, but by those of Asia, China, Japan, 
Korea, Siam, Hawaii, etc. 

We are obliged by want of space to abridge this report of a most eloquent address, 
and give merely an outline of it. 

The exercises closed with singing two verses of the national hymn, " Star Spangled 
Banner, " followed by the band, which had assisted in the music throughout. 

At noon a national salute of forty-two guns — one for each State now in the Ameri- 
can Union — was fired from the shore battery. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



9 



RECEPTION AT THE LEGATION. 

His excellency George W. Merrill and Mrs. Merrill received their friends at the 
legation, 2 till 6 o'clock, yesterday afternoon. During the entire afternoon the rooms 
were crowded, and many expressed their regrets that they were soon to leave and 
return to their country, to give place to new representatives of the great Republic. 
It is not certain how soon Mr. Merrill's successor will arrive, as he had not been 
u amed at the latest advices from Washington. 



[Inclosure 2 in No. 249— Evening Bulletin.] 

The glorious Fourth — Remarkably eventful holiday — Reports of all the festivities. 

A finer day, except for some hours of great heat, could not have been desired for 
the glorious Fourth. Besides the various items of public celebration, many picnic 
parties went to the seaside or mountains. As full a report as possible of each part- 
of the programme appears below. The American, British, and Chilean war ships were 
dressed with equal resplendence, the O. S. S. Umatilla was gaily bedecked, and there 
was a line display of flags from other shipping and on shore. Salutes of thirteen guns 
each were fired at sunrise and sunset, and of thirty-eight guns at noon, from the 
shore battery. 

THE REGATTA. 

First race — Six-oared gig race. Sliding seats. Free to all. Prize, $40. Donated 
by the 4th July celebration committee. 

lAUoukalani — White and blue, Carl Widemann. Alice M. — Red and white, H. 
Gunn. 

- Second race — Galley or gig race. Six oars. Stationary seats. Free to all. First 
prize, $50; second prize, $25; third prize, saves stakes. Donated by the 4th July 
celebration committee. 

Chilean Pilcomayo — White caps, Lieut. Espinosa. U. S. S. Alert — Blue, Lieut. 
Carmody. Kapiolani — Blue caps, Carl Widemann. Puaala — Red, H. B. M. S. 
Espiegle. 

Third race — Yacht race. Open to all yachts over 5 tons and not exceeding 10 
tons in measurement; provided, however, that this limitation shall not apply to 
yachts now in Hawaiian waters and that enter for the race this year. Prize, Hawaiian 
challenge cup and pennant for 1889. 

Kahihilani, 8.14 tons — White and green, W. Williams. Spray, 6.07 tons— Sham- 
rock white, W. C. Sproull, for owners. Eealani, 6.29 tons — Hawaiian flag, C. Brown, 
F. M. Hatch, CP. Iaukea. Hawaii, 6.95 tons— White, W. O. Smith. Helene, 12.22 
tons — White maltese cross, blue border, W. H. Baird, for owners. 

Fourth race: Yacht race. Open to all yachts below 5 tons measurement. First 
prize, $75; 2d prize, $50; 3d prize, $25; donated by the 4th of July committee. 

Kaohmani, 3.40 tons, white burgee, red letters, W. W. Dimond; Park St., 

tons, white and blue, S. H. Priestly; Laura, 1.75 tons, blue, Hingley and Graham; 

Polii, 1.91 tons, blue W in center, W. Williams; Laura Boone, tons, blue, yellow 

and red, S. B. Dole; Pauline, tons, , W. L. Wilcox; Edith L., ll tons, 

red, Alex. Lyle; Onward, tons; blue with M. P. in white, J. A. Magoon. 

Fifth race: Boat boys' race; opened to all licensed boats. First prize, $10; 2d 
prize, $5. 

Dido, white; Flying Fish, American; Benicia, red; Fair Play, yellow; Lita, blue; 
Alameda, white and blue. - 

The regatta being the first event in celebration of the Fourth, mostly everybody 
consulted the weather immediately on awakening. The day dawned gloriously calm, 
and yachtsmen despaired. 

A few minutes after 8 o'clock the first race came off, being that of six-oared gigs, 
sliding seats, between the Myrtle club's Alice M. and the Honolulu club's Liliuoka- 
lani. Alice M. won easily by 25 seconds; time of winning boat, 25 minutes. 

Second race: Galley or gig, six oars, stationary seats. A. good start was made bnt 
the native boat Kapiolani soon took the lead and walked away with the cake. The 
struggle between the U. S. S. Alert and H. B. M. S. Espiegle boats for second prize 
was closely coutested. The Espiegle boat, Puaala, Avas in advance of the Alert's to 
the turning point, where the Alert's bow oar fouled the stern of the Puaala, but no 
foul was claimed. Although the Alert's boat lost some space by the collision she 
afterwards gradually crawled up on the Espiegle boat and passed her. Time of the 
boats: Kapiolani, 29:10; Alert, 31; Puaala {Espiegle), 31:55, and Pilcomayo, 33. 



10 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Third race: Yachts of 5 tons measurements Entered, Spray, 6.07 tons; Healani, 
6.29; Hawaii, 6.95; Kahikilani, 8.14, and Helene, 12.22. A gentle breeze had sprung 
up, and at the signal to start the Hawaii took a big lead, and, setting all canvas, 
was away ahead in a short time. 

The Spray crossed the starting line second, the Kdhihilani third, Helene, fourth, 
and Healani fifth. The wind, while heating up to Waikiki, was favorable to the 
smaller boats, being too light for the larger ones. The Kahikflani was the first to 
make an inshore tack on rounding the bell buoy. The Hawaii rounded the Waikiki 
stake boat a short distance in advance of the Spray, Healani, and Helene, which 
three vessels had gained handsomely on the Hawaii. On the run before the wind 
to Pearl River the Hawaii was considerably in the lead for the greater part of the 
distance, but when near the stake boat a stiff breeze sprang up and the Helene went 
ahead. A lull came before the stake boat was reached, however, and the Hawaii, 
forging a head, turned first. On the beat home the Healani stole a march by tack- 
ing away inshore, the Helene also going in considerably, while the Hawaii kept too 
much to sea. Near the bell buoy, on the return home, the Healani was leading 
handsomely. The Helene held a good position and weathered the buoy finely. The 
Spray, although far behind at one time, having gained by her inshore tack, came very 
near rounding the bell buoy before the Hawaii. While beating up the passage the 
Healani, which was ahead, became becalmed for a moment on the Ewa side of the 
passage, and the Helene, picking up a puff on the Waikiki side, carried it along with 
her and walked in ahead. The Helene crossed the line first, the Healani second, the 
Hawaii third, and the Spray fourth, very closely. 

OFFICIAL TIME. 

Hawaii, start 9:41, return 2:02:57, corrected time 4 hours 16 minutes 4 seconds. 
Sp>ray, start 9:41:35, return 3:03:22, corrected time 4 hours 14 minutes 16 seconds. 
Kahihilani, start 9:42:05, out of race. 

Helene, start 9:43:25, return 1:58:55, corrected time 4 hours 15 minutes 30 seconds. 

Healani, start 9:44:09, return 2:0:12, corrected time 4 hours 8 minutes 32 seconds. 

By time allowance the Healani is winner of the race, the Spray comes second, the 
Helene third and the Hawaii fourth. 

Fourth race: Yachts below 5 tons measurement, rested between the Kaohinani and 
Edith L., but has been decided in favor of the Edith L. The time of the Edith L. is 3 
hours 49 seconds, and of the Kaohinani 3 hours 50 seconds. 

Four boats started in the fifth race— of licensed boats — the Flying Fish winning, 
the Alameda crossing the line 2 seconds later, and taking second prize. 

LITERARY EXERCISES. 

The literary exercises were held in the Hawaiian opera house at 10 o'clock, and 
were very interesting, though not largely attended. Besides those performing the 
various parts, Prof. M. M. Scott, chairman; Hon. W. F. Allen and Mr. AY. W. Hall, 
members of the committee on literary exercises; and Hon. J. H. Putnam, consul- 
general, were on the stage; also the choir of the Central Union church and a detach- 
ment of the Royal Hawaiian Band, under the lead of Prof. Berger. 

The baud played au overture consisting of a medley of American airs. 

Rev. George Wallace, chaplain of the day, offered opening prayers. 

His excellency, George W. Merrill, president, made introductory remarks. He 
was pleased to be with the Honolulu people once more, this being the fifth time he 
enjoyed with them the privilege of celebrating the Fourth of July. As the shadows 
of the nineteenth century deepened around us he wondered how many people out- 
side of America would be glad that the United States had stood for a century under 
a Constitution that had abided all the tests and provided liberty, equality, and 
justice to the nation. In a glowing panegyric upon the men who gave them that 
Constitution he said they avoided the Scylla of disunion at home and repulsed the 
Charybdis of invasion from abroad. As he thought of it he had not words to express 
his feelings toward that godlike man Washington. Referring to the advancement 
of science contemporaneously with the development of the American Republic, the 
speaker said Boston was nearer London and New Zealand in communications to-day 
than New York aud Albany were to each other a hundred years ago. It was possi- 
ble that Hawaii might before long be enabled to learn changes in the price of sugar 
the day they occurred, while now the map of Europe might be changed and they 
could not learn of it in less than a week. He referred to the Samoan disaster as 
calling forth the same spirit in their nation's defenders that inspired their fore- 
fathers, which enabled them to give three rousing cheers to Britain's sons, when 
these gave back three cheers for the red, white, and blue and for the men who stood 
so bravely at their duty. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



11 



Mr. A. V. Gear, of Ohio, assistant teacher in Fort street school, was introduced 
•with facetious remarks from the Chair about his State's officeholding resources, and 
in clear and measured tones read the Declaration of Independence. 

"America '' was sung by choir and audience to the accompaniment of the band. 

Kev. E. G. Porter, introduced as comiug from Lexington, Mass., where so many of 
their fathers fought and died, delivered an extempore oration of the day. He had 
only consented to fill the place on the assurance that no profundity of research or 
study would be exacted, as he could not think of giving up any considerable portion 
of his limited stay from the investigation of the points of interest in these delight- 
ful islands. He greeted them as fellow countrymen in a foreign land, which was a 
particularly pleasing privilege to him here, where there were so many evidences of 
American predominance — the numbers of houses displaying American flags, the 
juvenile demonstrations similar to their childhood's celebrations of the day, and, 
above all, the mark Americans had made in the country's civilization. 

The Americans had done their moral work here unselfishly. They came not to make 
money but to benefit the people in the hightest moral sense. That end had been 
greatly accomplished and those who had done it are gone to their well-earned rest. 

They were met to celebrate an event second to none. Their country could not have 
a second birth; therefore he was glad of the establishment of this Fourth of July 
holiday. He referred with pleasure to the ample provisions made here for the cele- 
bration — in these exercises, aquatic and field sports, and so forth. It was well that 
the nation should perpetually commemorate the movement that led to the framing 
of that instrument in 1776 which had jnst been read to them. They had struggles 
not only to gain their national independence but to preserve the Union. That day 
of trial should be remembered on the Fourth. 

The speaker considered that the course of affairs in their country could be viewed, 
in some respects, with more advantage from Sydney, Calcutta, Hongkong, or Hono- 
lulu than from within the country itself. One of the thoughts occurring at this 
time was that they could never forget the men who gave them their nation — those 
men who framed the early -state papers, gave them a jurisprudence, interpreted the 
laws they made themselves. This Fourth might be celebrated as the anniversary of 
their Constitution. The assertion of independence was not the securing of it. They 
had strife and war to maintain independence. The inauguration cf the first Presi- 
dent was, perhaps, the beginning of their national life, but that could not take place 
without important antecedent events. Although the war did not continue thirteen 
years, their organization was not complete under that period. 

They had no chief justice, with associates, to declare the purpose of the laws. 
Chosen men sat for five months, working seven hours a day, to make the Constitution. 
Samuel Adams, one of these, had been the first man to mention the word 11 inde- 
pendence," and not one of his fellow-patriots was with him, even Washington 
opposing him when he had uttered the sentiment iu Faneuil Hall. The orator 
proceeded to eulogize the nation's founders by name, and described Washington's 
journey from the Potomac to receive the honors as President at New York. All the 
great men of the day — Governor Clinton, Roger Sherman, Col. Knox, etc., withdrew 
to a man and owned Washington as the only man for the position. Sketching the 
career of Washington from childhood, the speaker said he could find no names in 
history surpassing that of the "Father of his country." "1 would not exchange 
tbe reputation of Washington for the reputation of any man who ever lived." 
(Applause.) They had no need to boast of him. for other nations had recognized 
him. Over all his qualities was nobility of character, of work, of life. 

Mr. Porter dealt eloquently with the stability of American institutions, comparing 
this with the precarious tenure of existing conditions in certain European countries 
He spoke of the increasing influence of Americain international affairs, notwithstand- 
ing that she let other countries surpass her in foreign commerce for the development of 
boundless resources at home. Reference was made to America's superior general 
intelligence over that of other countries, to the munificence of her rich men toward 
higher learning from the foundation of Harvard College in 1636, and to her progress 
in establishing art and technical schools. The wide distribution of property in 
America was compared with the land-holding in few hands elsewhere. America's 
influence as extended by her Christian missions was alluded to, being strikingly 
exemplified in Korea, Japan, and Turkey. She sent " kerosene and missionaries'" 
to Turkey; one giving light to the homes, the other to the hearts of the people. 
America had the torch to give light to the world. In conclusion, he was happy to 
congratulate them that the country was thriving at home and abroad. Wherever he 
had seen their flag he had felt at home, whether in foreign harbors or lonely bunga- 
lows of India. He was glad to see so many elements of joy in these islands. By 
striving to follow the examples of Washington and Lincoln, Americans would be a 
blessing to their own land and to the nations of the earth. 

Mr. Merrill publicly thanked Mr. Porter for his able address. He added that, owing 
to events over which he had no control, he might visit America before the next Fourth, 



12 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



and lie thanked them for their kindly attention to these celebrations, to which his 
mind would always revert with pleasure. When he again stepped on the shores of 
America he should always feel proud of her Constitution, whether administered l>y 
the powers that sent him here, or that called him liome, and forever shout three 
cheers for the '' red, white, and blue," whether it waved victoriously over his party 
or another one. His excellency concluded with a cordial invitation for everybody 
to call on Mrs. Merrill and himself at the legation in the afternoon. 
The singing of "Star Spangled Banner," and band music closed the exercises. 

TARGET PEACTICE. 

The eighth semiannual competition of the Hawaiian Rifle Association was held at 
the King street range. There Avas a fair attendance, but not so large as on former 
occasions, owing to the numerous sources of amusement offered elsewhere. The 
weather was good, although the light was somewhat changeable. With a few 
exceptions the shooting was hardly up" to the standard of some former meetings of the 
association. It will be seen that Mr. Pratt made an excellent score in the midrange 
championship match. Mr. Fisher won the Brodie medal for the third and last time. 

RECEPTION AT THE LEGATION. 

His Excellency George W. Merrill, United States minister resident, and Mrs. Merrill 
were at home from 2 to 5 o'clock in the afternoon. There was a large number of 
callers, who were received with great cordiality by the popular host and hostess. 
Decorations of the legation were charming, and an elegant line of refreshments was 
served. Below will be found a list of visitors as nearly as possible correct : 

A. Mons. G. B. d'Anglade, French commissioner; Hon. Taro Ando, Japanese con- 
sul-general; Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Atwater, Hon. AY. D. Alexander, His Excellency 
Jona. Austin, minister of foreign affairs; Miss Millie Austin, Col. V. V. Ashford. 

B. Brother Bertram, St. Louis College; C. O. Berger, Mons. Bellaguet, chancellor 
French legation; Rev. E. G. Beckwith, D. D., Rev. and Mrs. S. E. Bishop, Lieut'. 
Bechler, U. S. Navy; E. FaxonBishop, H. Berger, Mrs. A. E. Broad. Rev. H. Bingham. 

C. Capt. Clarke. H. B. M. S. Espiegle; His Excellency H. A. P. Carter, Hawaiian 
minister to Washington; Misses Carter (2); Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Carter, Miss Mary 
Carter, Sadie Carter, Hon. A. S. Cleg-horn, Miss Corney, Senhor A. de Souza Cana- 
varro, Portuguese commissioner; Mrs. R. J. Creighton, Miss Creighton, Master 
Henry Cushman Carter, Cushman Carter, Mr. Conn. 

D. Mrs. S. M. Damon, Mrs. Dudoit, Miss Dudoit. Mrs. John Dyer, B. F. Dillingham, 
Mrs. Demming. 

E. Miss Elliott, Mrs. Everett. Mrs. M. M. Evans. 

F. Mrs. A. Fuller, Clara Fuller,, Brother Francis, St. Louis College; Justice and 
Mrs. William Foster. 

G. Maj. and Mrs. C. T. Gulick, Lieut. Greene, 17. S. Navy; Miss Gay (Kauai), 
Rev. H. H. Gowen, Commander James G. Green, U. S. S. Alert: H. F. Glade. German 
consul. 

H. A. S. Hartwell, J. F. Hackfeld, Russian consul; J. A. Hopper, Mr. and Mrs. 
Heydtmann, Mrs. Haalelea, Rev. C. M. Hyde, d. d. 

J. Hon. A. F. Judd, chief justice; P. C. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Johnson. 

K. Absolom Kirby, chief engineer, IL S. Navy; Mrs. Knowles, Goo Kim. Chinese 
commercial agent; Ensign Knapp, L T . S. Navy; Prince David Kawananakoa. 

L. Curtis J. Lyons, Mrs. Langtry, Daniel Logan, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lewers, W. 
H. Lewers, Mi,ss Lewers, Dr. Lundy, Father Leonor, H. Lose, acting consul for 
Sweden and Norway, and Mrs. Lose. 

M. Lieut. Moore,' U. S. Navy; Capt. H: W. Mist, R. N., and Miss Mist, Rev. and 
Mrs. A. Mackintosh, Surgeon Marsteller, U. S. Navy; Dr. John S. McGrcw. Miss 
Messrole, M. D. Monsarrat, Mrs. H. R. Macfarlane. 

N. Hon. Paul Neumann, Gus Neth. 

P. Hon. J. H. Putnam, U. S. consul-general; Lieut. Pritchard, H. B. M. S. Esph'cjle; 
Mrs. E. W. Peterson, Miss Payson, Miss Pecalta, J. H. Paty, consul for The Nether- 
lands; Mrs. Pinney, Rev. E. G. Porter (Lexington, Mass.). 

R. George J. Ross, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson (Kauai), Dr. and Mrs. C. T. Rodgers, J. W. 
Robertson, H. M.'s Acting Chamberlain, Miss Ritchie. 

S. T. M. Starkey, Mr. Shields (Denver, Colo.), Prof, and Mrs. M. M. Scott, Maj. 
Seward, Paymaster Sullivan, U. S. Navy: F. A. Schaefer, Italian consul, and Mrs. 
Schaefer, (X C. Swain, Cadet Stafford. U.S. S. Adams. 

T. Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Toler. 

V. Capt. Valenzuela, Chilean warship Pilcomayo. 

W. Maj. J." H. Wodehouse, H. B. M.'s commissioner, and the Misses Wodehouse 
(2), Rev. G. Wallace, Hon. and Mrs. W. C. Wilder, Hon. H. A. Widemann, the Misses 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



13 



Winter (2), Commander Woodward, U. S. S. Adams; C. M. White, Hon. H. M. Whit- 
ney, Cadet Wiley, U. S. Navy; Mrs. Widdifield, Master Clifford White, Dr. and Mrs 
J. M. Whitney, Bishop and Mrs. Willis. 

GAMES AT MAKIKI. 

It was difficult to get the prize sports through at Makiki, owing to the crowding 
in of people on the competitors. 

The 50-yards race was won by G. Rosa, and W. Kaae second. 

The 100-yards race was reversed, Kaae being first and Rosa second, and the 150- 
yards race Avent likewise. 

Luahiwa made the best standing jump, Kaina second. 

Kaina^won in the three jumps, Luahiwa second. 

Edwin won the sack race, John Pihi second. 

A sailor caught the greased pig but let a native have it. 

Running the bases was declared off at the desire of ball players. 

In a saddle pull between two horses, that ridden by John Keimi beat one ridden 
by Wm. Holt. 

The baseball match between the Honolulu and the Stars afforded the most amuse- 
ment to the largest crowd, probably, of any match ever played on that diamond. 
Some estimates of the number of spectators are as high as 3,000. There was some 
of the worst and some of the best play of the season. Eleven innings were played, 
ending in a dispute. Honolulu made 4 runs in the first inning, 5 in the second, 1 in 
the eighth, and 1 in the ninth, 11 altogether. The Stars made 1 in first, 1 in second, 
2 in fifth, 5 in sixth, making 9,-even with Honolulu, 2 in seventh, 11 altogether. At 
the end of the eleventh inning, two being out, Winter made three strikes and ran 
for base. Chan Wilder, seeing the catcher muff the ball ran for home and passed 
the plate before Winter was put out at first. The Stars claimed Wilder's run and 
theganie, which Umpire Boardman would not allow. After half an hour's disputing 
the matter was left to the league, and if the decision be against the Stars the match 
will be declared a draw. 

THE EVENING. 

In the evening the U. S. S. Alert replaced her fiags in ship dress with lanterns, 
illuminated all the window ports, and made a display of fireworks. It made one of 
the grandest sights ever seen in the harbor. 

A grand ball was given in the Hawaiian Hotel under the auspices of the subcom- 
mittee for that purpose. It was a very brilliant event, being attended by hundreds 
of residents and officers from the American, British, and Chilean warships. The 
rooms were beautifully decorated with flags, flowers, and foliage by the hands of 
Mrs. G. E. Boardman, assisted by Mrs. Abies, Mrs. Hebbard, Miss Afong, and Miss 
Katie Rose. The floor manager was Mr. E. F. Bishop, and committee" were M;ij. 
H. F. Hebbard, Messrs. F. E. Nichols, F. L. Winter, and T. F. Lansing. Dancing 
went on simultaneously in the dining room and parlor, at opposite ends of the 
house, a detachment of the Royal . Band under Prof. Berger playing the music on 
the veranda. A splendid bill of refreshments was served and the ball broke up in 
the early hours of morning. 

A very pleasant dancing party was given at the Arion Hall under the management 
of Messrs. C. J. Lane, D. W. Roach, and A. Brown, a committee appointed by a 
meeting of some who were dissatisfied with the arrangements of the general meeting 
for the Fourth. Music was furnished on the piano and by members of the Royal 
Band, and an elegant repast, including fine coffee, was served on the back veranda. 
There was a large party who enjoyed themselves intensely till after midnight. 

THE BALLOON ASCENSION. 

Prof. Melville went up in his balloon shortly before 10 o'clock. The balloon took 
fire before he was ready, and he gave orders to let it go. Away up it shot with the 
aeronaut hanging from it with hands and legs to a small rope, having neither trapeze 
nor parachute on the balloon. While thousands of eyes were watching from earth 
to see the parachute leap the balloon began a rapid descent and in a few seconds it 
lodged in a tree at Kakaako. Melville jumped about 20 feet to avoid the tree and 
landed without hurt in a swamp. The balloon was rent in four pieces but the pro- 
fessor says it can be stitched together again, and he intends going to the other 
islands to make ascensions. He claims to have gone to a height of 2,000 feet. 



14 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blame. 

Ko. 1.] Augusta, Me., July 12, 1889. 

Sik : Under the date of June 24 last, I had the honor to receive from 
the Secretary of State the official information that the President had 
appointed me United States minister resident to the Hawaiian Islands, 
inclosing therewith the necessary blank for me to take the oath Of office, 
Avith the instruction to return the same to the Department of State. 

On the reception of that communication I immediately complied with 
its directions by taking the oath of office before Judge Andrews of this 
city, and made the proper return to the Department of State. I now 
beg leave to say that I am making all the necessaiy preparations to 
leave Augusta with my family for my post at Honolulu about August 
22, hoping to take the steamer which is to leave San Francisco Septem- 
ber 13 for Honolulu. Presuming that my commission and instr actions 
will soon reach me. 

I have the honor to be, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blame. 

So. 253.] Legation of the United States. 

Honolulu. Jul}/ 26, 1880. 
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that, on the 15th instant, 1 
received confidential information to the effect that a few half-caste 
native Hawaiians were organizing a scheme whereby they contemplated 
deposing His Majesty the King, installing his sister, Her Boyal High- 
ness the Princess Liliuokalani, in his place, and proclaiming a new 
constitution. 

On the following day, in an interview with His Majesty's minister of 
foreign affairs, I learned that he had recently heard similar disquiet- 
ing rumors, and further that the contemplated change was to be 
attempted after the departure of the TJ. S. S. Adams, which was then 
intending leaving forthwith for Samoa, and before the return to this 
port of H. B. M. ? s. S. Espiegle, then on a ten days 7 cruise among the 
islands. 

While the minister of foreign affairs did not place much credence 
in such a change being attempted, and expressed a confidence in the 
ability of the regular authorities of the kingdom to defeat any such 
attempt, yet he thought if the Adams would remain until the return of 
the Espiegle. so as not to leave the harbor without a naval vessel, the 
probability of any riotous action would be greatly reduced. 

I informed him that if he would make a written request in regard to 
the matter, I would communicate the same to the commander of the 
Adams and ask him if possible to remain a few days. 

Accordingly, on the 1 7th instant, I received an unofficial note from 
the minister of foreign affairs, a copy of which I at once transmitted to 
the commander of the Adams, accompanied by one from myself. Copies 
of the correspondence I inclose herewith, 

Commander Woodward, of the Adams, being also detained on account 
of the sickness of his surgeon, determined to defer his departure, and 
on the 23d instant H. B. M.'s. S. Espiegle returned to port, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



15 



No disturbance, however, has occurred, uor does it now appear that 
there is a probability of any in the immediate future. 

Although this place is very prolific in political rumors, yet I have 
never deemed it advisable to ignore them as without possible founda- 
tion, believing it better to be deceived by discovering their falsity than 
their truth. 

In this instance I have quietly investigated the matter and am led to 
conclude that the disquieting reports arose in a large degree from a 
desire on the part of the leaders of the opposition to the present admin- 
istration to excite and annoy, if possible, the leaders of the reform 
party and the official incumbents. 

Doubtless these disquieting reports will become more frequent, while 
political excitement will increase and animosities be engendered in a 
greater or less degree, until after the election for members of the legisla- 
ture in February next. 
I am, etc., 

Geo. W. Merrill. 



[•Enclosure Xo. 1.] 
Mr. Austin to Mr. Merrill. 

Unofficial. 

Department of Foreign Affairs, 

Honolulu, July 17, 1889. 

My Dear Mr. Merrill: 

In view of the fact that there are rumors of intention on the part of certain indi- 
viduals to create disturbances if the harbor should be left without the presence of 
a warship, and of the fact that the U. 8. 8. J dams, the only one now here, is under 
orders to proceed to Samoa, I suggest that if her departure could be delayed until 
the return of H. B. M.'s Esjnegle, or until some other naval vessel shall arrive, the 
probability of riotous action would be greatly reduced. The passive presence of a 
man of war in the harbor is sure to have a quieting intluence, and I trust that you 
will feel that it is best that there be no interval without one. 
Very truly, yours, 

Jona. Austin. 



[Iuelosure Xo. 2.] 
Mr. Merrill to Mr. Wood ward. 

Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, July 17, 1889. 
Sir : I inclose copy of an unofficial note, just at hand from Mr. Austin, His Hawaiian 
Majesty's minister of foreign affairs, respecting rumors of disturbance in Honolulu 
and the advisability of the presence of a naval vessel in the harbor at the present 
time. 

If possible to comply with the retpiest of Mr. Austin, I hope you may deem it 
advisable to delay your contemplated departure for a few days at least. 
Very respectfully, 

Geo. W. Merrill. 

Commander E. T. Woodward, 

Commanding Z7, S, S, Adams, Honolulu. 



16 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 254. ] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu , July 29, 1880. 

Sir : I have the honor to inform you that on the 22d instant His 
Majesty, the King, appointed Hon. Samuel M. Damon minister of 
finance, vice Hon. William L. Green, resigned. 

The resignation of Mr. Green is owing to advanced age and ill health. 

Mr. Damon is a native of this Kingdom, his parents being citizens of 
the United States, and has been connected with the banking house of 
Bishop & Co., at Honolulu, twenty years or more. 

The appointment is regarded by all parties here with much favor. 
I have, etc., George W. Merrill. 



Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 255.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, August 1, 1889. 

Sir: I have the honor to inclose a very full account, from the 
"Bulletin" of Honolulu, of an attempt made on the 30th ultimo, by 
about 100 half castes and natives, under the leadership of Robert W. 
Wilcox and Robert Boyd, two half-caste Hawaiians, to overthrow the 
present Government of Hawaii and depose the King. 

This is supposed to be their purpose, although their exact intention 
is not yet fully known. 

About 6 o'clock a. m. a message from the King informed me that an 
armed party, led by Mr. Wilcox, was in possession of the palace 
grounds, and soon thereafter it was learned that insurgents were in 
charge of the building containing the Government offices. 

As soon as possible I had communication with Commander Wood- 
ward of the U. S. S. Adams, and at once all necessary preparations 
were made to land a force, if found necessary for protection of the 
people and property interests. 

Soon thereafter I met His Majesty's minister of foreign affairs, who 
informed me that a cabinet council would be held forthwith. 

Soon after the news of the affair became generally known, the British, 
Portuguese, and French commissioners called at the legation, and while 
comparing information regarding the situation, Mr. Damon, the newly 
appointed minister of finance, arrived and stated that it was the desire 
of His Majesty's ministers to meet the foreign representatives at once. 
It was deemed advisable to comply with this request without delay. 
On meeting the ministers they stated that they desired to fully inform 
us of their contemplated action in the present emergency, and that 
they had determined to occupy the tops of the buildings commanding 
a view of the palace grounds with sharpshooters, for the purpose of 
preventing the use of the cannon which were known to be in the pos- 
session of the insurgents inside the walls inclosing the palace grounds, 
gradually surround and finally dislodge them with other forces. 

After learning the intention of the Government to operate at once 
with an armed force, I suggested the propriety of Mr. Damon, one of the 
members of the cabinet who speaks the native language fluently, endeav- 
oring to communicate with Mr. Wilcox, the leader of the insurgents, and 
ascertain if possible the cause of his action and what his demands were, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



17 



if any; then, if Mr. Damon failed, that the representatives of foreign 
powers endeavor to obtain an interview with Wilcox, and by their good 
offices effect a peaceful settlement if possible. 

This was cordially agreed to by all, and the representatives with- 
drew with the understanding that Mr. Damon would inform us of the 
result of his mission. In about one-half hour Mr. Damon reported to 
me at the legation that Mr. Wilcox refused to receive any communica- 
tion from him whatever, and that while he was seeking to communicate 
with him tiring commenced ; he deemed it not only imprudent, but sui- 
cidal for anyone to attempt to approach the palace grounds on a peace 
mission. 

At this juncture, as the report of small arms and cannon came from 
the palace grounds and immediate vicinity quite rapidly, and as many 
with alarm were coming to the legation, I at once requested Com- 
mander Woodward to send to the legation a body of marines, which 
request he promptly complied with. 

The appearance of the marines on the streets and at the legation 
had a very favorable effect on the populace. Soon the report of the 
large guns ceased by reason of the inability of the insurgents to oper- 
ate them in the presence of the fire of the sharpshooters on the tops 
of the surrounding buildings. 

The " bungalow 77 mentioned in the newspaper account and into 
which the insurgents retreated is a frame building situated in the cor- 
ner of the palace grounds, sometimes used by the King as a dwelling 
and for offices. 

The palace square comprises about 4 acres, situate two blocks from 
the central business part of the city, and is entirely inclosed by a con- 
crete wall about 8 feet high, while the King's palace is situated in the 
center of the square. 

In the afternoon, and as soon as I ascertained from one of the cabinet 
ministers that an attempt would be made to dislodge the insurgents 
from the " bungalow" before dark by the use of dynamite, and as there 
were large crowds of people congregated on several streets, I deemed it 
advisable to ask for the landing of the remainder of the forces from the 
Adams before dark as a precautionary measure in the event any 
assistance to preserve order might be required, and to be immediately 
available in the event a conflagration should start. In this, matter 
Commander Woodward fully agreed, and by permission of the minister 
of foreign affairs the forces landed about 5 o'clock p. m. Early the fol- 
lowing morning all the men belonging to the Adams returned to the 
ship. 

The members of the cabin et and many prominent residents expressed 
much commendation of the prompt landing of the men, and remarked 
upon the very salutary effect their presence seemed to have among the 
people on the streets. 

The IT. S. S. Adams was the only naval vessel in port. The British 
ship Espxeflle recently left under sealed orders on a cruise south. 

This disturbance at this time was wholly unexpected by the G overn- 
ment officials as well as nearly every prominent resident. 

Although for several weeks it was known that Wilcox was endeav- 
oring to draw around him as many disappointed native political aspi- 
rants as possible, yet it was recently ascertained on what seemed very 
reliable authority that no overt acts would be committed prior to the 
next general election in February, when it was thought the present 
ministers would be defeated at the polls. 
H. Ex. 48 2 



18 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



However, the success of the Government in subduing the insurgents, 
it is thought, will draw some to its support, and the general feeling is 
that the Government will be strengthened by the result of the conflict. 

Immediately after the surrender of the insurgents the city was quiet 
and still remains so, while business is being transacted as usual. As 
to the exact number of the insurgents it is difficult now to determine, 
as some deserted in the early morning. About 80 prisoners were 
secured. No serious casualities occured except to the insurgents. 

In order that you may be promptly informed of the principal facts a 
week in advance of the regular mail, I will forward by the steamer 
leaving here to-morrow a telegram, to be wired from San Francisco, of 
which the following is a copy : 

On July 30 unsuccessful attempt by about 100 half-castes and natives to over- 
throw Government and depose King. Insurrection suppressed by Hawaiian Govern- 
ment without foreign aid. Six insurgents killed, 12 wounded. Order restored same 
day. Men from U. S. S. Adams landed by permission, to protect lives and prop- 
erty if found necessary ; afterwards returned to ship. 

Before sealing this dispatch I shall inclose clippings from news- 
papers giving latest intelligence, but will be unable to properly paste 
and arrange them. 
-Trusting my action may merit the approval of the Department, 
I have the honor, etc., 

Geo. W. Merrill. 



Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine. 

[Telegram.] . 

Honolulu, August 2, 1889. - 
On July 30 unsuccessful attempt by about 100 half-castes and 
natives to overthrow Government and depose King. Insurrection 
suppressed by Hawaiian Government without foreign aid. Six insur- 
gents killed, 12 wounded. Order restored same day. Men from IT. S. S. 
Adams landing by permission to protect lives and property if found 
necessary j afterwards returning to ship. 

Geo. W. Merrill. 



Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 257.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu. August 6, 1889. 

Sir : Realizing that the Department is desirous of being in poses- 
sion of the latest information regarding affairs here, and availing 
myself of an opportunity offered by the departure of a sailing vessel for 
San Francisco, I have the honor to inform you that on Saturday, the 
3d instant, in compliance with a request from the minister of foreign 
affairs, received on the preceding day, I attended a meeting of His 
Majesty's ministers at which meeting were also present the British, 
French, Portuguese, and Japanese commissioners. 

On assembling, the ministers stated that in a few hours a cabinet 
council would be held, and that they desired to fully inform us of the 
propositions they intended submitting and insisting upon to His 
Majesty the King. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



19 



This information they desired to communicate in order that we 
might not be misled by false rumors in the event His Majesty declined 
acceding to their proposed demands. 

They stated that they were convinced the time had arrived when, in 
the interest of peace and good government, the powers and responsi- 
bility of the ministers and His Majesty should be clearly understood and 
precisely defined. As the "Advertiser" daily, published here, in its issue 
of the 5th and 6th instants, authoritatively and correctly states, the de- 
mands of the cabinet and the termination of the controversy, I inclose 
clippings from that paper for the information of the Department. After 
being informed of the demands, the foreign representatives withdrew. 

The cabinet met the King at noon of the 3d instant, and soon after 
the adjournment of the council I was informed that no settlement had 
been effected. 

About 5 o'clock p. m. of the same day I was informed His Majesty 
wished to meet the British commissioner and myself, and at once we 
held an interview with him, in which he stated as his opinion that until 
the supreme court decided otherwise he had a constitutional right to 
exercise his discretion and withhold his approval of any of the acts 
embraced in the demands presented by his ministers; but, in reply to 
my question, he distinctly stated he would be governed by whatever 
decision the judges of the supreme court might make. 

This gave confidence that a final and favorable termination could be 
reached. 

On Monday, the 5th instant, it became known that His Majesty was 
to meet his ministers at noon when the opinion of the judges would be 
presented. 

I, having previously learned the tenor of the opinion, did not have 
doubts about the amicable settlement of the matter, but as the news of 
the difference between His Majesty and the cabinet spread, a feeling 
of unrest, aggravated by many false rumors, pervaded the community, 
and, at the request of a prominent American resident here, I, in com- 
pany with the British commissioner who chanced to be at the legation, 
after first stating our purpose to and obtaining the consent and cordial 
approval of the ministers, proceeded to the palace for the purpose of 
interviewing the King before he met the ministers in council. 

His Majesty received us with much cordiality, and, upon his reference 
to the disagreement between himself and cabinet, I embraced the oppor- 
tunity to assure him that the people felt great interest and much 
anxiety regarding the settlement of the matter, and it was hoped an 
amicable and honorable settlement of the controversy would be effected, 
which was certain to restore permanent confidence among the people. 

Similar views were expressed by the British commissioner. His 
Majesty at once assured us he had decided to yield the points and 
consent to the requests of his ministers. 

At the present time appearances indicate a cessation of disquietude. 

Since my No. 255 of the 1st instant, a report has gained credence 
that the object of the leaders of the insurrection was not so much for 
the purpose of dethroning the King as to obtain from him the pro- 
mulgation of a new constitution and the dismissal of the present 
ministry. 

However, the purpose of the insurgents and all the parties, directly 
and indirectly, connected with the insurrection are not yet known, but 
the whole affair is being investigated, and probably I may be able to 
inform the Department more fully by the next regular mail. 
I have, etc., - 

Geo. W. Merrill. 



20 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



["Enclosure 1 iu BPb; 257. Advertiser. August 5, J889. ] 
THE KING AND THE CABINET. 

Numbers of exaggerated reports have been circulating- through the city con- 
cerning the relations existing between the king and the cabinet. We are 
authorized to state that the following are the main points at issue: The King 
claims the right of exercising his personal discretion in executive matters coming 
before him and requiring his signature or act, while the cabinet claim that he lias 
no such right, but is constitutionally bound to take the advice of the cabinet. 
The King lias acted upon his claim in a number of cases, the particular one which 
has brought the question to issue being his refusal to sign the commission of Col. 
V. Y. Ashford as colonel of the Hawaiian Volunteers. Mr. Ashford was elected to 
this office some months ago, but the King has continuously refused and still 
refuses to sign the commission, although advised then and now by the cabinet 
that it was his duty so to do. 

The King also claims that he has the control of the military and munitions of war 
belonging to the Government, and refuses to recognize the authority of the minister 
of foreign affairs relative to the disposition of certain munitions of war stored at the 
barracks, although the statute gives such minister the express control of the same. 
Under these circumstances the cabinet felt the necessity of settling this question 
before going further, and accordingly submitted the following proposition to His 
Majesty on Saturday last: 

"Before going further, the cabinet desire a thorough understanding with Your 
Ma jesty upon the following point, viz : The Government in all its departments must 
be conducted by the cabinet, who will be solely and absolutely responsible for such 
conduct. Your Majesty shall iu future sign all documents and do all acts which, 
under the laws or the constitution, require the signature or act of the Sovereign, 
when advised so to do by the cabinet, the cabinet being solely and absolutely respon- 
sible for any signature of any document or act so done or performed by their advice." 

The King declined to assent to this proposition, unless advised by the supreme 
court that it was iu accordance with the constitution, he claiming that it was uncon- 
stitutional. 

The cabinet have submitted the question to the supreme court for an opinion, and 
an answer will probably be received and made public to-day. 



[Inclosure 2 iu JTo. 257. Advertiser. August G, 1889.] 

The King conforms. Be concedes all ike points asked for by the Government upon learning 
that the supreme court had decided against the stand he had taken. 

As was stated in the Advertiser yesterday, the King had refused to sigu the com 
mission of Col. V. Y. Ashford, as commander of the Hawaiian Volunteers, although 
advised by the cabinet so to do. He also disputed the authority of the minister of 
foreign affairs to dispose of arms and ammunition then in charge of the corps known 
as the " King's Guard. " 

His Majesty has now receded from the position above stated, and the following 
documents explain how the change came about : 

Honoluxa, H. I., August 3, 1889. 

lion. A. Fkakcis Judd, 

Chief Justice Supreme Court: 
Sir : The cabinet desire to submit for your consideration the following statement of 
facts, and respectfully request the opinion of the supreme court upon the question 
hereinbelow stated: 

STATEMENT OF FACTS. 

His Majesty the King claims the right to exercise his personal discretion in and 
concerning the performance of official executive duties of the Sovereign, such as 
making appointments requiring the royal signature ; appointment and removal of 
diplomatic and consular officers accredited by the Hawaiian Government abroad; 
the acknowledgment of foreign diplomatic and consular representatives from abroad 
to the Hawaiian Kingdom; the authority over and control of the military forces 
and munitions of war'belonging to the Hawaiian Government, etc. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



21 



His assertion of and action in pursuance with this claim lias now come to such a 
point that the orderly progress of the business of the Government is seriously inter- 
fered with and the presrvatiou of the public peace menac ed. 

Under these circumstances the cabinet this day formulated and presented to His 
Majesty the following- statement of principles, viz: 

••Before going further, the cabinet desire a thorough understanding with Your 
Majesty ux>on the following point, viz: The Government in all its departments must 
he conducted by the cabinet, who will be solely and absolutely responsible for such 
conduct. Your Majesty shall in future sign all documents and do all acts which 
raider the laws or the constitution require the signature or act of the Sovereign, 
when advised so to do by the cabinet, the cabinet being solely and absolutely 
responsible for any signature of any document or act so done or performed by their 
advice." 

The cabinet advised His Majesty that such statement of principles is in accordance 
with the constitution and that it was his duty to assent thereto. 

In reply to such advice by the cabinet His Majesty replied that "lie considered the 
request to consent to such statement of principles as uncalled for and insulting, and 
declined to assent thereto. 

The cabinet, therefore, respectfully request the opinion of the supreme court upon 
the following question, viz: • 

Is the. authority and responsibility of the cabinet, as set forth in the above state- 
ment of principles; in accordance with.and in pursuance of the constitution or not? 

L. A. Thurston, 

Minister Interior. 
J on a. Austin, 
Minister Foreign Affairs. 
S. M. Damon, 
Minister of Finance. 

C. W. ASHEORD, 

Attorney-General. 



Department of the Judiciary, 

Honolulu, August 8, 1SS9. 

To His Majesty's Cabinet: 

Gentlemen: The justices of the supreme court have received your letter of to- 
day's date, in which you state certain circumstances under which you to-day formu- 
lated and presented to His Majesty the following statement of principles: 

" Before going further the cabinet desire a thorough understanding with Your 
Majesty upon the following point, viz : 

/'The Government, in all its departments, must be conducted by the cabinet, who 
will be solely and absolutely responsible for such conduct. 

" Your Majesty shall in future sign all documents and -do all acts which, under 
the laws or the constitution, require the signature or act of the Sovereign, when 
advised so to do by the cabinet, the cabinet being solely and absolutely responsible 
for any signature of any document or act so done or performed by their advice.'' 

You further state that you advised His Majesty that such statement of principles 
is in accordance with the constitution, and that it was his duty to assent thereto. 

You request the opinion of the justices of the supreme court upon the following 
question, viz : 

"Is the authority and responsibility of the cabinet, as set forth in the above 
statement of principles, in accordance with and in pursuance of the constitution 
or not?" 

We respectfully submit the following reply : 

By article 21 of the constitution "the Government of this Kingdom is that of a 
- constitutional monarchy ," and although the constitution devolves upon the King, as 
the head of the Government, certain powers and directs that certain acts shall be 
done by him, so far certainly as these are executive powers and acts, the exercise of 
them is controlled by article 78 of the constitution, which reads that " wherever 
£ by this constitution any act is to be done or performed by the King or Sovereign, it 
• shall, unless otherwise expressed, mean that such act shall be done and performed 
by and with the advice and consent of the cabinet/' 

Article 31 of the constitution declares that the King's person is sacred and invio- 
lable and that his ministers are responsible, and article 41 prescribes that " no act 
' of the King shall have any effect unless it be countersigned by a member of the 
cabinet who, by that signature, makes himself responsible." 

There can be no dual government. There can be no authority without responsi- 
bility. The King is without responsibility. Tire constitution confirms the respon- 



22 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



sibility of government upon the cabinet ; they, therefore, have the authority. With 
this in vieWj we are unanimously of opinion that the principles formulated by you 
and presented to His Majesty, above set forth, are in accordance with and in pursu- 
ance of the constitution. 

We wish to say. further, that on the occasion of His Majesty's considering the pro- 
priety of his approval of an act of the legislature of 1887 (which is now chap. 25 of 
the acts of 1887) the justices of the supreme court, at his request, sent him an opin- 
ion upon the proposed act. Its title is "An act to provide for and declare the con- 
struction to be placed upon the words ' the king ; or ' the sovereign ' in certain cases." 

The opinion was as follows : 

" We see no conflict of this act with article 16 or 48 of the constitution. This act 
is consistent with article 78 of the constitution, the principle of which is hereby 
applied in terms to statutes also. 

"And we understand that it has always been the true intent of statutes that the 
acts of the King are done upon the responsibility of his cabinet unless it appears from 
express words or*bv the very nature of the case that the act is of a personal charac- 
ter." 7 

We remain yours, respectfully, 

A. F. Judd, 

• Laurence McCully, 

Edward Preston, 

RlCHD. F. BlCKERTON, 

Saxford B. Dole. 

At 12 o'clock Monday, August-5, the cabinet met His Majesty at the palace and 
submitted to him the opinion of the supreme court, and again requested his assent 
to the principle involved. His Majesty replied that he accepted the decision of the 
court, and assented to the proposition submitted by the cabinet, and requested that 
his assent be entered on the minutes of the council. 

Upon presentation of the commission of Col. Ash ford for signature, His Majesty 
stated that since last Saturday he had reread the military law and was convinced 
that the position taken by him was incorrect. 

He therefore signed the commission. 

In pursuance of the power given to the minister of foreign affairs he has, with 
the consent of the cabinet, removed Capt. Kahalewai, commander of the King's 
Guards, for complicity in the late insurrection, the command thereby devolving 
upon Lieut. Robert Parker. 

Orders were issued for the immediate transfer of all arms, ammunition, and muni- 
tions of war, except those arms and ammunition individually in use by the King's 
Guards, from the palace and barracks to the station house. These orders were 
carried out by the marshal yesterday afternoon, with the assistance of the police 
and special officers; and among other material transferred were three beautiful 
brass fieldpieces of 3-inch bore, ordered by the King from Austria. 

His Majesty has now conformed to the provisions of the constitution in the mat- 
ters above related; and the anxiety manifested before he did so is now allayed and 
confidence in future peace restored. 



Mr. Moore to Mr. Merrill. 

ETo. 136.] Department of State, 

Washington, August 12, 1889. 

Sir: 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 2d 
instant, touching an attempt made on the 30th of July last, to subvert 
the existing Government of the Hawaiian Islands and the landing of 
men from the U. S. S. Adams to protect lives and property. 

I transmit for your files a copy* of the telegram as deciphered and 
have to express the satisfaction of the Government that the insurrec- 
tion was suppressed with no greater losses than you report. 
I am, etc., 

J. B. Moore, 
Acting Secretary. 



* See under date of August 2. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 23 

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Merrill. 

No. 137.] Department of State, 

Washington, August 22, 1889. 
Sir : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Nos. 243-256. 
I am, etc., ' 

William F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Wharton to Mr. Merrill. 

No. 138. J Department of 'State, 

Washington, August 23,-1889. 

Sir : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 255 of the 1st 
instant, relative to the attempt of July 30 last, to overthrow the 
Hawaiian Government. 

The steps taken by the legation to protect the lives and property of 
our citizens at Honolulu, in that emergency, seem to have proved 
effectual. A copy of your dispatch will be sent to the Navy Depart- 
ment. 

I am, etc., 

William F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 260.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, August 29, 1889. 

Sir: Eef erring to political affairs I have the honour to inform you 
that, since the episode of the 30th ultimo and the judicially defined 
power of the King and cabinet, referred to in my No. 257 of the 6th 
instant, peace has prevailed and the people have pursued their usual 
avocations undisturbed by disquieting rumors. 

At the present time sixty-four persons have been arrested in con- 
nection with the insurrection, variously charged with treason and con- 
spiracy. 

The trial of the insurgents will occur at the regular term of the court 
in October next. 
I have, etc., 

Geo. W. Merrill. 



Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 262.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, September 7,1889. 
Sir: Eeferring to the disturbance of July last, it now appears that 
among the influences operating to induce the native Hawaiians to 
attempt such a scheme was the fact that their minds had become 



24 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

imbued with the belief that the foreign residents and the cabinet were 
in league for the purpose of destroying the autonomy of the kingdom, 
and this feeling was augmented by letters of indiscreet correspond- 
ents, published in the United States, advising the interference of our 
Government agents to influence the current of Hawaiian political 
affairs, which were freely quoted and harshly commented upon by the 
newspapers published here in the native language. 

The native, in his simplicity, readily accepted these quotations and - 
statements of the press as true and foreboding the loss of the inde- 
pendence of their country. 

There also existed a feeling among many Hawaiians that they were 
not the recipients of a fair share of the official patronage under the 
present administration, and that a change of cabinet ministers ought 
to occur. • . 

Relying upon the result of the revolution in 1887, it was believed 
that the only thing required to effect the change desired was to sur- 
round the Government building with an armed guard, take possession 
of the palace and the King, make a show of force, compel the promul- 
gation of a new constitution, demand the resignation of the present 
members of the cabinet and the appointment of others. 

In other words, it is asserted by the insurgents that the revolution 
attempted in July last was intended to be as peaceful and harmless to 
persons and property as that of June, 1887. 

To the native mind generally it is difficult to distinguish any dif- 
ference of rights in the premises or of the principles on which the two 
movements were based. . . 

It is also noticeable that among the American residents here there 
are several who, from personal motives, contemplate with satisfaction 
periodical disquietude in this kingdom, hoping that frequent revolu- 
tionary epochs will force the United States Government to make this 
group a part of its territory, and to absorb into its body politic this 
heterogeneous population of 80,000, consisting of Chinese, Japanese, 
Portuguese, native Hawaiians, half-castes, and only about 5,000 of 
those who maylbe properly denominated the white race. 

In order' to keep affairs in as much turmoil as possible baseless 
rumors are constantly put in circulation, many of which find publica- 
tion in other countries. 

The latest agitation is one against the increase of Chinese, and a 
movement is now being made t to call the legislature in extra session 
for the purpose of submitting a constitutional amendment on the sub- 
ject to the people at the election in February next. 

It is feared if such a question is submitted to the people as a minis- 
terial measure, that the foreign residents representing the mechanical 
and planting interests of Hawaii will be divided, while the native 
Hawaiians will be united and succeed in defeating the measure, thus 
regaining full control of the Government. 

For this reason many among those inclined to favor Chinese restric- 
tion oppose the calling of the legislature, fearing the defeat of the 
reform party as a consequence. 
I have, etc., 

George W. Merrill. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



25 



Mr. Adee to Mr. Merrill. 

STo. 139.] Department of State, 

Washington, September 10, 1889. 
Sie : I have received, and read with interest your dispatch No. 257, 
of the 6th ultimo, touching the political situation at Honolulu, growing 
out of the recent controversy between the King and his cabinet. 
I am, etc., 

Alvev A. Adee, 

Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Sterols to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 2 bis.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, September 25, 1889. 
Sir : I improve the opportunity to report to the Secretary of State 
that, taking the usual route of travel by train and steamer, I arrived 
with my family at Honolulu September 20, and on the following day 
communicated with the minister of foreign affairs, who promptly 
arranged, the day and the hour for my reception by the King. Monday. 
September 23, His Majesty received me in the customary manner, when 
I presented my sealed letter of credence from the President. I inclose 
a printed slip containing my remarks and those of the Kin gin reply. All 
the facts and incidents attending my reception at the Hawaiian capital 
have been most cordial and satisfactory, and I appreciate that I assume 
my post of duty here under highly favorable auspices. 
I have the honor, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



[Inclosure in Mr. Stevens's Xo 2 his.] 

Mr. Merrill then presented to the King his excellency John L. Stevens, who 
addressed His Majesty in the following words: 

•'May it please Your Majesty: 

" Sire : In presenting to His Majesty my letters of credence he will allow ine to say 
that it is with an experience of pleasure that I am permitted to he the medium of 
communicating to him the good wishes of the President of the United States and of 
the sixty-five millions of people whom he ahly and faithfully represents. It is in 
the spirit of international fraternity, which has greatly increased in force and ele- 
vation in recent times, that I am sent as the •American agent to His Majesty's Gov- 
ernment and to reside among the people of these beautiful islands, a cluster of gems in 
the Pacific Sea. It is proper for me to say, what His Majesty and Government well 
understand, that the Government and people of the United States cherish a deep 
interest in the prosperity and welfare of the Hawaiian Islands, so smiled upon by 
nature and so important to the future commerce and civilization of the countries 
contiguous to the Pacific. 

•• Your autonomy secured by the good will of the great nations, all true statesmen 
and generous citizens of other lands must wish that your Government may be suc- 
cessful in securing order, prosperity, and happiness to all your people. Though 
sejmrated by a thousand miles of ocean, the United States and the Hawaiian King- 
dom make a part of the new world, whose reciprocal interests of commerce tend to 
unity and to all that is liberal in policy and beneficent in the arts of peace. If my 
residence among you shall in any way conduce to these pacific and desirable ends, it 
will be my good fortune to faithfully rep:ceseiit the wishes of the people and Govern- 
ment of the great American nation." 



26 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



The following is a copy of the autograph letter from the President of 
the United States to His Majesty presented by his excellency John 
L. Stevens: 

Benjamin Harrison, President of tlie United States of America, to His Majesty Kaldkaua, 
King of the Hawaiian Islands. 

Great and Good Friend: 

I have made choice of John L. Stevens, one of our distinguished citizens to reside 
near the Government of Your Majesty in the quality of minister resident of the 
United States of America. He is Avell informed of the relative interests of the two 
countries and of our sincere desire to cultivate to the fullest extent the friendship 
which has so long subsisted between us. My knowledge of his high character and 
ability gives me entire confidence that he will constantly endeavor to advance the 
interest and prosperity of both Governments and so render himself acceptable to 
Your Majesty. 

I therefore request Your Majesty to receive him favorably and to give full cre- 
dence to what he shall say on the part ot the United States, and to the assurances 
which I have charged him to convey to you of the best wishes of this Government 
for the prosperity of the Hawaiian Islands. 

May God have Your Majesty in His wise keeping. 

Written at Washington, the 26th day of June, in the year 1889. 
Your good friend, 

Benj. Harrison. 

By the President: 

James G. Blaine, 

Secretary of State. 

His Majesty replied to Mr. Stevens, as follows: 

"Mr. Minister: It is with pleasure that I receive from you the assurance of the 
continuance of the friendly regard of the President and the people of the American 
nation for the Sovereign and people of Hawaii. 

"And I am well pleased to welcome to a residence in my kingdom a gentleman 
who is the choice of my great and good friend, President Harrison, as the representa- 
tive of the American Government and people. 

"The officers of my Government will be instructed to tender to you every atten- 
tion and courtesy during your official residence in my dominions.' 7 

His Majesty was attended on this occasion by the Hon. A. S. Cleghorn, H. E. H. 
Prince Kawananakoay His Excellency Hon. Jona. Austin, minister of foreign affairs; 
James W. Robertson, esq., His Majesty's vice and acting chamberlain; Col. the Hon. 
Robert Hoapili Baker, A. D. C. ; Maj. John Dominis Holt, A. D. C, and Capt. the 
Hon. E. K. Lilikalani, equerry in waiting. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 3.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, October 7, 1889. 

Sir: There is at the present time a lively interest among the Hawa- 
iian citizens in regard to proposed changes in the treaty relations 
between the United States and these islands. By some means, as to 
which I have not accurate information, a draft of a new treaty found 
its way into the newspapers here hostile to the present ministry. This 
has caused an earnest discussion of the subject involved in the public 
journals and in private and commercial circles. This has led the cabi- 
net to deem it expedient to publish a correction of false impressions 
and to express its real opinion as to the necessity and terms of a new 
treaty. I inclose a copy of the statement of the minister of foreign 
affairs, which has been published in the papers here. 

The facts, so far as they have come to my observation, lead me to 
conclusion that the chief opposition to the proposed new treaty arises from 
partisan opposition to the present ministry and from the representa- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



27 



tions of the English and French diplomatic agents, who have already 
called on the minister of foreign affairs to present their objections, 
which fact seems to have disturbed the ministry very little. I am 
much impressed by the strong American feeling pervading the best 
portion of the population, and which is especially manifest among the 
men of business and property. There is no doubt that u reciprocity " 
is doing much to Americanize these islands and to bind them to the 
United" States. 

I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



[Pacific Commercial Advertiser.] 

Reply of the cabinet — A full explanation of the Government position in regard to the 

treaty question. 

The following is a copy of tlie reply of the cabinet delivered to the native mass- 
meeting committee Friday : 

Messrs. A. Kosa, J. L. Kaulukou, J. F. Colburn, and others: 

Gentlemen: As a committee representing a public meeting of Hawaiian citizens 
you have asked from His Majesty's ministers certain information concerning their 
action in regard to the relations between this country and the United States of 
America. 

Feeling that it is the right of the people to know the policy of the administration, 
the ministers take pleasure in informing you that they have for a long time had 
under consideration the practicability of extending onr treaty relations with the 
United States so as to enhance and increase both the commercial and political 
benefits which the two countries now enjoy by reason of existing treaties. 

As the result of nearly a year's consideration of this subject by the Cabinet, our 
minister resident at Washington* has been instructed to ascertain whether the 
Government of the United States is willing to entertain propositions looking to the 
end above indicated, and, should he find such willingness to exist, lie is instructed 
to open negotiations with that Government for the conclusion of a treaty which 
will effect the purposes hereunder indicated. 

This statement of the present status of the subject renders it unnecessary to say 
that no proposition has been made or accepted by the United J3tates and that no 
treaty has been submitted to His Majesty for signature. 

The,reasons which have moved the cabinet to adopt the course above indicated 
are numerous, and while an exhaustive enumeration and discussion of such reasons 
would exceed the scope of the present reply, a summary of the more salient among 
them is as follows : 

1. The history of our staple products during the past thirteen years has demon- 
strated how essential to our commercial prosperity are the advantages secured to us 
by the existing treaty. 

The development of our export trade from $2,241,041 in 1876 to $11,707,598 in 1888, 
during the life of that treaty, with its attendant advantages to all our citizens and 
residents, are witnesses of its stimulating effect upon our industries and commerce, 
and its beneficent influence upon our national welfare, and are fresh illustrations 
of the principle that no great material advantage can be enjoyed by any class depend- 
ent upon labor without the entire community partaking of such benefits. 

By the terms of the existing reciprocity treaty with the United States, notice of 
termination within one year thereafter may be given in five years from now. 

The interval between 1883 and 1887, during which time the treaty was subject to 
termination upon a year's notice, illustrated the evil effects to our commercial well- 
being of a dependence from year to year for the continuance of our treaty relations 
irpon the uncertain humor of the American Congress. 

The uncertainty involved has an unsettling effect upon capital and is detrimental 
to the making of large permanent investments, many of which now contemplated 
requiring heavy preliminary expenses. 

With only the certainty of a five years' continuance of the treaty, the experience 
of the recent past in mind, and the strong probability that renewed and strenuous 
efforts will be made by our opponents in the United States to terminate the treaty 
at the end of the five years, it is the part of wisdom to prepare in the day of pros- 
perity for the days that are to follow. 



28 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



2. At the last session of the United states Congress there was developed a strong 
movement looking to the reduction of sugar duties and the payment of bounties upon 
sugar of American produetion. 

The effect of this would he to discriminate against Hawaiian sugars in favor of 
American, and materially reduce to us the value of the existing treaty without any 
corresponding henefit. 

We believe it to lje the duty of the Hawaiian Government to endeavor to secure 
the placing of our products upon the same basis as American products in respect of 
bounties and privileges. 

?>. The existing treaty is limited in its extent. A large number of American prod- 
ucts still pay duties in the Islands, while the products admitted by the treaty free 
of duty into the ports of the United States are practically limited to sugar, rice, 
bananas, hides, and tallow. 

There are many articles which might be profitably produced here, upon lands 
which are not available for products now admitted under the treaty, were there a 
market for them. 

If a mutual agreement can be arrived at whereby the ru'oduets of either country 
can be admitted free into the other, a great stimulus will be given to new industries 
in the Islands, resulting in an increase of exports and of domestic and foreign ship- 
ping: the bringing into cultivation and increasing in value of many lands now 
waste: the consequent improvement in all departments of business, and a, corre- 
sponding benetit to the United States by the increase in our imports to meet the nec- 
essary increased consumption by our people. 

We believe that the additional value which each country would receive would many 
times over compensate them for the loss of the duties now levied. 

4. The Hawaiian Islands are now the only group in the Pacific which is wholly 
self-governing. Our situation is peculiar. We have no military or naval strength 
of our own to maintain our autonomy against the pettiest naval power; and we 
have to-day no guarantee of our continued independence as against any foreign 
nation other than the sufferance or the mutual jealousies of the great powers. 

AYithin the last few years the police of annexation has prevailed among the 
European nations interested in Polynesia, which has resulted in the rapid absorp- 
tion of nearly all the Pacific islands. 

Within the year last past we have seen Samoa lose her position as a self-governing 
state. The acts of her Government are now subject to the approval of the Govern- 
ments of the United States. England, aud Germany, and had it not beeli for the good 
offices of the United States Government the probability is that she would have ere 
now been annexed by one or more European nations. 

Within the past year the question of the disposition and absorption of the 
Hawaiian Islands, as well as of Samoa, has been the subject of serious considera- 
tion by certain of the nations interested in the Pacific. 

The cabinet are of the opinion that the interests of this country, and of every 
race and industry resident or located therein, will be best served by the continuance 
of its present independent state, free from any protectorate or control on the part 
of any foreign government. 

It is. and ever will be. the endeavor of the present administration to not only 
unqualifiedly maintain this status, but to obtain such assurances and guarantees 
thereof as will remove the question from the debatable politics of the world. 

It has long been the custom of European nations* to form alliances with neighbor- 
ing countries for purposes of defense, safety, and commercial exchange. The time 
has. in the opinion of the cabinet, arrived when we should follow a precedent so 
well established and form an alliance with some great nation. If an alliance of 
this character is desirable it should be in the direction where our greatest interest 
lies. 

The proximity of the United States, the cordial friendship which has been from 
the commencement of our civilization a marked characteristic of our relations with 
the American people, and the extensive commercial exchanges which are the result 
of such relations, point inevitably to that great country as our best friend, our most 
valuable commercial colleague, and our natural political ally. 

Animated as we are by the desire to strengthen aud extend the commercial ties 
which have done so much for our national prosperity, and to secure the safety and 
perpetuation of our institutions by an alliance whereby we shall have the positive 
and efficacious guarantee of a strong friend against interference by itself or others 
with our perfect autonomy, independence, and sovereignty, we have instructed our 
representative at Washington to ascertain if the United States would be willing to 
negotiate with us a convention whereby the following objects may be secured : 

First. To continue in force all treaties and conventions now existing between the 
two nations, until they shall find it mutually advantageous to abrogate or modify 
such treaties or conventions, or any of them. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



20 



Second. That all products of either country which are by virtue of the reciprocity 
treaty admitted free of duty into the other country shall be treated in respect of 
bounties paid, exemptions or immunities, and in all other respects, as if such other 
articles were of the growth, produce, or manufacture of the country into which they 
are so admitted. 

Third. To provide for the entry into either of the two countries, without payment 
of duty, of all products of the other, excepting, however, opium, spirituous liquors 
of more than 18 per cent alcoholic strength, and all articles prohibited by law in 
either country. 

Fourth. A positive and efficacious guarantee by the United States Government of 
the perfect iudependence and autonomy of the Hawaiian Government in all its domin- 
ions, and its right of sovereignty over such dominions. 

To enable the United States Government to do this without danger of complication 
Avith other powers, we do agree not to negotiate treaties with other nations without 
the knowledge of the United States Government. 

The cabinet, for more than a year, has studied carefully many reasons for and against 
the points submitted for negotiation, and has taken counsel with others, both con- 
nected and unconnected with the Government, and has considered various proposi- 
tions and suggestions, some of which have been approved and some disapproved. 

Any statements of objects or intentions, and any purported draft of a treaty 
stating more or other than is above indicated, which may have been published, are 
unfounded and incorrect. 

The ministers are strongly and unanimously of the opinion that the accomplish- 
ment of the objects above indicated will tend to greatly increase the material pros- 
perity of the country and perpetuate the independence of Hawaii and the sov- 
ereignty of His Majesty and his successors over all his dominions, 

I have the honor, on behalf of the cabinet, to remain 

Your obedient servant, * 

.J una. Austin, 
Minister Foreign J fairs. 

Eokeig-N Office ; October 4, 1SS9. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 5.] Department of State, 

Washington, October 16 4 1880. 
Sir : I liave received your No. 2 bis. of the 25th ultimo, and the copy 
which you iuclose of the interesting addresses made on the occasion of 
presenting your credentials to the King of the Hawaiian Islands. 
I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

[Confidential.] 

No.G.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, October 17, 1889. 
Sir: My predecessor in charge of this legation, Mr. Merrill, in his 
dispatch 255, dated August 1, 1889, informed the Department of State 
of the revolutionary attempt made July 30 by certain disaffected persons 
under the lead of Eobert W. Wilcox and Eobert Boyd, two half-breed 
Hawaiians, aided by a Belgian named Loomens. For the past two 
weeks the trial of the participants in this revolutionary effort has been 
going on in Honolulu before Chief Justice Judd, of the supreme court 
of the kingdom. Loomens, being a Belgian citizen, has been tried 
before a jury of white men, here termed a foreign jury, Eobert Boyd, 



30 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



one of the chief conspirators, turned state's evidence, and after a care- 
ful and impartial trial, as to which even his counsel made no complaint, 
Loomens was convicted of treason, though recommended to mercy, and 
several others have pleaded guilty or been convicted of riotous pro- 
ceedings. The trial is tending plainly to show that the Hawaiians are 
numerously in sympathy with Wilcox, who" is to be tried by a native, 
jury, and whose conviction is regarded as very doubtful. 

It is proper for me to convey the confidential information that so far 
as the examination of witnesses and the general course of the trials tend, 
in the opinion of many persons here, to implicate the King, at least in 
sympathy with the revolutionary movement, neither the Government 
attorney nor the counsel of the accused seem to mince words or spare 
His Majesty, and the court rules with independence and firmness.* I 
herewith inclose the charge of the chief justice in the case of Loomens, 
as published verbatim in the Commercial Advertiser. It is probable 
that when the trial of Wilcox takes place there will be an expression 
of native Hawaiian sentiment which may be indicative of the general 
opposition of the native Hawaiian voters at the election which is to 
occur in February. The feelings of hostility to the Government at 
the present time is being stimulated by foreign agitators, who are 
taking advantage of the simplicity of the natives for the promotion of 
their political and private ends. Out of these trials and the passions 
and prejudices they invoke may arise some disturbance in the near 
future, of which the February election for members of the two houses 
of the legislature may furnish the occasion. I will endeavor to keep 
the Department of State informed as to the course of events so far as 
they may be of importance. 
I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

IsTo. 7.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, October 18, 1889. 
Sir : In forwarding to the Department of State my dispatch 2, ot 
September 26, 1889, containing an account of my first reception by the 
King, and the presentation of my letter of credence, I inclosed a printed 
copy of my remarks and of His Majesty's reply. On second thought I 
conclude that I should have sent the addresses in writing: therefore, I 
forward the inclosed and ask that the same be placed on file instead of 
the printed copies. I ask the indulgence of the Department for the 
error which I seek hereby to correct. 
I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



The following is the text of my remarks on being* presented to the King: 
'•'Sire: In presenting to His Majesty my letter of credence he will allow me to 
say that it is with an experience of pleasure that I am permitted to be the medium 
of communicating to him the good wishes of the President of the United States and 
of the sixty-live millions of people whom he ably and faithfully represents. It is 
in the spirit of international fraternity which has greatly increased in force and 
elevation in recent times that I am sent as the American agent to His Majesty's 



[* See following No. 7.] 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



31 



Government and to reside among the people of these beautiful islands, a cluster of 
gems in the Pacific Sea. 

"It is proper for me to say what His Majesty and Government well understand, 
that the Government and people of the United States cherish a deep interest in the 
prosperity and welfare of the Hawaiian Islands, so smiled upon by nature and so 
important to the future commerce and civilization of the countries contiguous to the 
Pacific. The autonomy of your country secured by the good will of the great nations, 
all true statesmen and generous citizens of other lands must wish that your Govern- 
ment may be successful in securing order, prosperity, and happiness to all your people. 
Though separated by a thousand miles of ocean, the United States and the Hawaiian 
Kingdom make a part of that new world whose reciprocal interests of commerce 
tend to unity and to all that is liberal in policy and beneficial in the arts of peace. 
If my residence among you shall in any way conduce to these pacific and desirable 
ends it will be my good fortune to faithfully represent the people and Government 
of the great American nation." 

His Majesty replied to Mr. Stevens as follows: 

"Mr. Minister: It is with pleasure that I receive from you the assurance of the 
continuance of the friendly regard of the President and the people of the American 
nation for the sovereign and people of Hawaii. 

"I am well pleased to welcome to a residence in my kingdom a gentleman who is 
the choice of my great and good friend, President Harrison, as the representative of 
the American Government and people. 

"The officers of my Government will be instructed to tender to you every attention 
and courtesy during your official residence in my dominions." 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 6.] Department of State, 

Washington, October 31, 1889. 
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Nos. 1, 2, 2bis, and 
3; also of Mr. Merrill's Nos. 257-265, one of which (No. 264) contains 
his inventory of the archives and property of the legation. 
I am etc., 

James G-. Blaine. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 7.] Department of State, 

Washington, November 4, 1889. 
Sir : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your interesting dispatch 
of the 17th ultimo, relating to the trial of the persons concerned in the 
revolutionary movement of July 30 last, at Honolulu. 
I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 10.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, November 4, 1889. 
Sir : In my dispatch No.' 6, dated October 17, 1889, 1 gave the infor- 
mation that the persons engaged in the riotous and revolutionary 
movement of July 30, 1889, were being tried before the chief justice of the 
Kingdom, and that Loomens, the Belgian, had been convicted of treason. 



32 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Others of tlie accused have been convicted of conspiracy or have 
pleaded guilty of that offense. But those convicted were tried before 
a foreign jury, for the reason that they were not native Hawaiians. 
Since the date of my former communication Wilcox, the half-caste Ha- 
waiian, the leader in the revolutionary attempt, has been tried before a 
native jury, and after an elaborate and able prosecution by the Govern- 
ment, iii which his guilt was conclusively proved by his own testimony, 
as well as by that of numerous witnesses, he has been acquitted by ajury 
vote of 9 to 3, a unanimous vote not being necessary for conviction nor 
acquittal under the Hawaiian laws. This preponderance of native 
opinion in favor of Wilcox, as expressed by the native jury, fairly rep- 
resented the popular native sentiment throughout these islands in 
regard to his effort to overthrow the present ministry and to change 
the constitution of 1887, so as to restore to the King the power he pos- 
sessed under the former constitution, which the natives believe would 
tend to give them more predominance in the Kingdom. 

What will be the ultimate effect of this failure of the Government to 
convict the chief leader in the revolutionary attempt of July 30, I will 
not now presume to predict. The immediate consequence is certainly 
injurious to public order and good government, and indicates that ten- 
dency of opinion among Hawaiian natives which is likely to find strong- 
expression in the national election which is to take place in February. 

It is admitted by all of the most intelligent and best citizens here 
that the present Government is the wisest and most efficient which 
this country has ever had, and should it be defeated and thrown out 
by the native Hawaiian voters under their present leadership, it would 
afford occasion of regret to all true friends of Hawaiian independence 
and Hawaiian prosperity. 
I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 8.] Department of State, 

^Yasllingt<m, November (>. 1889. 

Siii : I transmit for your confidential information a copy of a, letter 
from the Secretary of the Navy, and its inclosure, relating to the pol- 
itical situation in Hawaii; also, a copy of the reply of this Department. 
I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



[Inclosxire 1 in Xo. 8.] 
Mr. Tracy to Mr. Blaine. 

NA V Y DE PA liTME XT. 

Washington, November 1 , ISS9. 
Sir : I have the "honor to inclose herewith, for the information of the Department 
of State, a copy of a report dated the 18th instant, from Rear- Admiral L. A. KimberJy, 
commanding the United States naval force on the Pacific station, with reference to 
the political situation in the Hawaiian Islands. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

B. P. Tracy, 
/Secretary of the Nacy. 

The SEciiBTAitY of State. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



33 



[Inclosure in Inclosiire 1 in No. 8.] 

Bear-Admiral Kimberly to Mr. Tracy. 

No. 165d.] U. S. Flagship Alert (third rate), 

Honolulu, October 18, 1889. 

Sir : I have to report that, politically speaking, quietness prevails at present. There 
is an agitation quietly working as to the race question, which no doubt will become 
a prominent factor in the elections that come off in February. 

The natives seem to have an uneasy feeling as to their rights being usurped by 
the whites and their gradual loss of prestige and power in the Government as laid, 
down in the principles of the present constitution, which, to their ideas, circum- 
scribes too much the kingly power. 

It would promote a feeling of security to our owu people, and, I think, other for- 
eigners, if at the February elections we had a force here competent to preserve order 
should necessity arise. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

L. A. Kimberly, 
Bear-Admiral TJ. S. Nuvy, 
Commanding TJ. S. Naval Force on Pacific Station. 

The Secretary of the Navy. 



[Inclosure 2 in No. 8.] 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Tracy. 

Department of State. 

Washington, November 6, 1889. 
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 1st instant and 
of the copy of Rear- Admiral Kimberly's report of the 18th ultimo, which you inclose, 
on the political situation in Hawaii. In view of his opinion that the security of our 
citizens there would be promoted " if, at the February elections," the United States 
had a force in those waters competent to preserve order should the necessity arise, 
I trust that your Department may find it convenient to make such dispositions in that 
quarter as will subserve the desired object. 
I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 11.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, November 14, 1889. 

Sir: A careful survey of the present political situation in these 
islands and a due regard to my responsibility lead me to make this 
communication to the Department of State. 

Ofthe recent revolutionary attempt to overthrow the present Hawaiian 
Government and to change the constitution in a retrograde direction the 
several dispatches of my predecessor and of the undersigned, have in- 
formed you. Beaten at their attempt by violence in July, Wilcox and his 
coadjutors are preparing to accomplish their purposes at the ensuing elec- 
tion of the members of the legislature in February. Apparently they are 
uniting the natives, who constitute nearly two-thirds of the voters, in 
the effort to obtain a native and revolutionary majority, and to some 
extent have enlisted the sympathies of the Chinese, who are not voters, 
but some of whom use their money to assist the natives in their politi- 
cal designs. Generally the principal land-owners and men of business 
and property are uniting in support of the present Government, regard- 
ing it the best the country has ever had. The complex character of the 
H. Ex. 48 3 



34 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



population tends to complicate the political situation, and the most 
intelligent and thoughtful citizens are anxious about the immediate 
future. 

The past of these islands, since 1835, has shown the usefulness of 
American naval vessels in the harbor of Honolulu. The revolutionary 
outbreak of July 30 strongly illustrated this. It is the opinion of the 
best-informed American residents here that one or more of our naval 
vessels should be constantly at Honolulu, at least until after the Feb- 
ruary election and the result of it has been fully tested, and with this 
view I fully agree, after mature investigation and deliberation. I think 
the probabilities are against any serious outbreak and that the crisis 
will be passed safely, but there are possibilities of riot and loss of life, 
unless prevented by a naval force in the harbor, of which the agitator 
and the unruly of the natives and of the foreign nationalities have 
salutary fear. 

I presume the necessary instructions have already been given to our 
naval commanders in the Pacific, and so far as I have-observed, Admiral 
Kimberly is alive to any contingency of danger and duty. None the 
less do I regard it my duty to report the facts to the Secretary of State, 
and to urge strongly that there be no possible failure of the retention 
here of one or more of our vessels of war, with the usual instruction to 
the officers in command as to an emergency of need. 
I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Ad.ec to Mr. Stevens. 

[Confidential. ] 

No. 11.] Department of State, 

Washington, November 16. 1SS9. 
Sir: I herewith inclose for your confidential information a copy of 
the instructions addressed by the Secretary of the Navy (and received 
with his letter of the 13th instant) to the commanding officer of the 
United States naval force on the Pacific station, relative to the reten- 
tion of a sufficient number of vessels of his fleet in Hawaiian waters 
during the approaching February elections for the prompt protection 
of American interests, should occasion arise. 
1 am, etc., 

Alvey A. Adee, 

Acting Secretary. 



[Inclosure No. 11.] 
Mr. Tracy to Mr. Blaine. 

Navy Department, 
Washington, November IS, 1S80. 
Sin: Referring to your letter of the 6th instant concurring in the opinion of Rear- 
Admiral Kimberly that security to our citizens there would be promoted if at the 
February elections the United States had a force in Hawaiian waters competent to 
preserve order, should necessity arise. The Department incloses herewith for your 
information a copy of its instructions issued this day to that officer for his guidance. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

B. F. Tkacy v 
Secretary of the Navy. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



35 



[Inclosure in Inclosure in No. 11.] 

Mr. Tracy to Rear-Admiral Kimberly. 

Navy Department, 
Washington, November IS, 1889. 
Sir : Referring to your letter No. 165 of the 18tli ultimo with reference to the polit- 
ical situation in the Hawaiian Islands, and in which you state that "it would pro- 
mote a feeling of security to our people and I think to other foreigners if at the 
February elections the United States had a force here competent to preserve order 
should necessity arise." the Department directs that you will keep as many of the 
vessels of your command in Hawaiian waters as you may deem expedient for the 
purpose of carrying out the object in view. A copy of the letter from the honor- 
able the Secretary of State, concurring in your opinion as to the desirability of 
such action, is inclosed herewith for your information. 
Very respectfully, 

B. F. Tracy, 
Secretary of the Navy. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 12.] Department of State, 

Washington, December 3, 1889. 

Sir,: I have received your No. 11 of the 14th ultimo, confirmatory of 
the statements of previous dispatches touching the importance of 
retaining one or more of our naval vessels in Hawaiian waters until 
after the elections of February next. 

You were informed by instruction. No. 11 of the 16th ultimo, of the 
action of the Secretary of the Navy in this regard. 

You can exhibit to the naval officers concerned copies of the dis- 
patches referred to, and will in general keep such officers advised of 
any political events of importance. 
I am, etc., 

James G-. Blaine. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 17.J United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 7, 1890. 
Sir : I improve the earliest opportunity to inform the Department of 
State as to the result of the election in the Hawaiian Islands, which 
took place this week, February 5. It was for the choice of the 48 nobles 
and representatives which compose the national legislature that is 
largely to control the country the next two years. It has been looked 
forward to with the deepest interest by all the native and foreign resi- 
dents, and the discussion and agitation have been very heated and 
determined, and on the part of the opponents of the present ministry 
extremely bitter and unscrupulous. The result is a triumph of the 
opponents of the present ministry and of the reform constitution. The 
election was conducted with exceeding fairness by the legal authorities, 
and the polls were kept open from 8 in the morning until 5 in the after- 



36 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



noon. The most complete quiet aiid good order prevailed iii all tlie 
voting precincts of Honolulu. An election conducted in the most 
intelligent and moral of American rural towns could be no more orderly. 

The ministry had taken the most careful precautions for the main- 
tenance of order; the liquor saloons were closed, the ballot was secret, 
and both parties worked with the utmost determination and precision 
to get their supporters to the polls. This defeat of the existing Gov- 
ernment is deeply to be regretted, for it has been accomplished by a 
most reckless appeal to race prejudices and to all the elements of cor- 
ruption and disorder in the Kingdom. It is well known to the Depart- 
ment of State that in July, 1887, the best citizens of these islands, 
composed of most of the property holders, the men of business, and 
the professions, chiefly Americans, English, and Germans — largely of 
the first named — were driven to a revolution, accomplished without 
bloodshed, resulting in the overthrow of the corrupt Gibson rule and 
the adoption of the reform constitution, by which the chief power 
was taken from the King and given to the Legislature and a respon- 
sible ministry. It has been under this constitution that the country 
has been governed the past two and a half years with signal success. 
Few of our American States in that time have had their affairs more 
honestly conducted, their laws more faithfully administered. 

Two of the ministers are of the best American stock, the sons of 
missionaries, and another, the minister of foreign affairs, was born and 
educated in the State of New York, thouglThe has been many years 
identified with this country. These three men have done their utmost 
to govern the Kingdom wisely and honestly. To do this they have been 
obliged to resist the King and all the worst elements of the islands. 
Among these are the men who thrived on former maladministration, 
whose plundering devices had been brought to an end. I am sorry to 
say that some of the worst men in bringing about the triumph of reac- 
tion are Americans, either by birth or adoption.^ Yet so successful has 
been the new constitution and the reform administration that the oppo- 
sition party was obliged to pledge itself in speech and platform not to 
return to the former state of things, and to promise to carry on the 
Government according to the terms of the present constitution,' which 
lias so deeply intrenched itself in the existing state of things as not to 
be easily overthrown. Among the successful party there are some large 
property holders, who will be driven to restrain their political associates, 
and these, with the determined efforts of the minority reform party, 
will be likely to keep the country to constitutional rule in a considera- 
ble degree. 

It is proper for me to say that among the leaders of the party just 
successful at the polls are those not friendly to the United States, and 
that the Department of State and this legation "will have to deal with 
the incoming ministry with great caution and circumspection. The 
new legislature will meet in May, when a new ministry undoubtedly 
will be chosen. In a future dispatch I will give the result of my most 
careful observations as to the status of things here relative to the 
interests of the United States and her immediate duties and responsi- 
bilities as to these islands. 
I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 

X. B. — Above 1 have given the present estimate here of the election 
result. It is possible that full returns from the other islands may nor 
sustain the present hopes of the reactionists. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



37 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, 

[Confidential.] 

No. 18.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 10, 1890. 

Sir : I am pleased to be able to report to the Department of State 
that the slight hope which was expressed in the postscript of " my dis- 
patch, ~No. 17, February 7, that full election returns from all these~^ 
islands might prove the success of the reform party and of the present 
ministry has been fully realized in fact. While Honolulu and the rest 
of this island elected but one reformer out of seventeen, the other 
islands have supported so generally the present Government as to give 
the reformers a small majority in the legislature, and the reac- 
tionists' majority in Honolulu on nobles is. so small that a change of 
75 votes would have given the reformers all of them, and thus have 
secured them two-thirds of the legislature. 

The opposition in this election contest has had the support of the 
King and of all his dependents and parasites and the chief element 
of corruption in the Kingdom. The issue has been made largely 
between those who have American sympathies and interests on the 
side of the reformers and of the present ministry, while all the worst 
element of society and violent race prejudices have been with the 
opposition. It is safe to say that three-fourths of the property- 
holders of the Kingdom are with the reformers and favorable to good 
relations with the XJnited States. Herewith I inclose duplicate copies 
of clippings from Honolulu papers, containing editorials and speeches 
of Hon. L. A. Thurston, minister of interior, the most influential 
member of the reform party and the most resolute of the four cabinet 
ministers, the grandson of a missionary who came to these islands 
from his native State, Connecticut, more than sixty years ago. These 
remarks of Mr. Thurston are an iudex of the direction the political 
contest here has taken. The German consul openly gave his influence 
to the reformers. Probably a majority of the English voters went 
with the reformers, while there is little doubt that the English and 
French commissioners desired the success of the opposition. 
1 have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



[The Times, Saturday, February 1. 1890.] 

America's unfailing friendship to Hawaii, and io all nationalities within our borders, 
reaffirmed. — Hawaiian history and its application to present issues. 

[A reply by L. A. Thurston to the National Herald.] 

The Herald does nie the honor of devoting practically its whole English issue of 
the 31st of January to a criticism of my remarks at the armory on Thursday even- 
ing. If the subject-matter related to me personally, only, I should not think of 
intruding upon the public at this juncture, when important issues demand the undi- 
vided attention of the reading public. But the subject-matter is so involved with 
an issue of vital import to the country, which issue awaits decision on the 5th of 
this month, that I make no further excuse for this statement. 

I would first call attention to the circumstances under which, and the reasons for 
the allusion to the history of this country in connection with France, England, and 
the United States. 

It has been publicly stated by the cabinet that they have initiated negotiations 
with the United States for the purpose of extending and rendering more permanent 
our present treaty relations with the United States. 

The points concerning which the cabinet proposes negotiations, and the reasons 
therefor, have been publicly stated iu all detail. It has also been publicly and ofli- 



38 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



cially stated that negotiations are preliminary in their character, of a nature neces- 
sary to bring the question up for discussion and action by the legislature, and that 
no final action is to be taken without full submission to and the approval of the leg- 
islature. 

The published statement of the objects sought is a full enumeration of all that the 
cabinet has in view. The treaty sought is, we believe, a like preservative of the 
honor, dignity, and independence of the two countries, and conducive to their mutual 
commercial prosperity. 

Without foundation therefor, regardless of the grave consequences of interference 
with the cordial relations existing between the two countries and solely for partisan 
influence upon the coming election, the gentlemen constituting the opposition to 
the present administration have for months filled the ears of the public, more par- 
ticularly the native Hawaiians, with violent appeals and false statements concern- 
ing the intentions of the cabinet and of the United States. This has been the key- 
note of their whole campaign. They have placed their whole reliance upon the 
ignorance of the people of the facts and the prejudice which their misrepresentations 
have produced. They have worked up and are still working up, by every disin- 
genuous method, a strong distrust, prejudice, and antagonism in the minds of many 
of the native people toward the United. States upon a wholly false basis and by an 
entire perversion of facts and history. 

Under these circumstances it was due the United States and essential to the wel- 
fare of Hawaii that the long-tried, continued, and more than generous friendship of 
the United States toward Hawaii should be stated, and the most signal and com- 
plete illustration of it, heretofore secret history, made public. 

In order to do this intelligently it was necessary to state the historical facts 
which in logical sequence led up to it. For this purpose, and thus far only, was 
reference made to early history and the relations of Hawaii with other countries. 

The Herald charges that I have "purposely and knowingly garbled and mis- 
stated Hawaiian history for political purposes," and that the demands of the 
French in 1849 and 1851 were based upon the differences existing between the two 
countries in 1839. In proof, and as sole proof, of these charges and statements, it 
prints a letter, dated 1839, signed by the -''Hon. J. C. Jones, then American consul,'' 
and five other foreign residents, laudatory of Laplace and his actions in 1839. 

The reference to the occurrences of 1839 in my argument at the armory was simply 
incidental in its nature, those events chronologically preceding.the events of '49 and 
7 51, and being illustrative of the arbitrary methods employed in those days in set- 
tling differences with this country in its weakness, the approved method being to 
submit peremptory demands and require immediate compliance therewith, with the 
alternative of the" loss of independence. Otherwise the occurrences of 1839 are 
entirely unconnected with the events of ; 49 and '51, which led up to and were the 
direct cause of the treaty of cession to the United States of 1851. 

I again affirm, and the evidence hereafter cited proves, that the events of 1839 were 
not the moving causes of the action of any of the parties in '49 and '51, and that the 
incidents and moving causes of the former are unessential to an understanding of 
the events of the latter period, except to illustrate the fact that redress for real or 
imaginary wrongs was obtained in those days by force. 

The religious intolerance displayed by the Hawaiian Government during its early 
history toward the Catholic faith and its believers is a portion of the history of this 
country which every lover of the good fante of the nation and of religious liberty 
regrets. It is no more and no less excusable than have been much more serious acts 
of religious intolerance perpetrated at different periods of their history by enlight- 
ened England, France, and New England. 

Suffice it to say that the letter published by the Herald is a mere chip upon the 
stream of literature concerning the subject, which occupies hundreds of pages of 
diplomatic correspondence and volumes of contemporaneous history, written by the 
immediate parties interested upon both sides. Had my object been to discuss the 
religious differences of the time, there is far stronger documentary evidence on both 
sides concerning the subject than the letter referred to by the Herald. 

In proof of the fact that the difficulties with France in 1849 and 1851, which caused 
the execution of the treaty of cession to the United States, I cite the following facts : 

1. The further merits or demerits of the Laplace controversy are not germain to 
this issue. It is sufficient to say that, whatever the feelings of the Hawaiians on the 
subject, the French were satisfied and. Laplace sailed away, which the Herald itself 
cites a letter to prove. 

2. In 1839, a month before the arrival of Laplace, the Government had discontinued 
the policy of intolerance towards the Catholics, and in 1840 the King promulgated 
a constitution, guaranteeing religious liberty to all. 

3. In 1843, England and France executed the famous " recognition" treaty, which 
was distinctly looked upon as a mark of friendly approval of the Hawaiian Govern- 
ment by those two countries. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



39 



J . In 1844, France voluntarily returtied to the Hawaiian Government the $20,000 
which had been exacted by Laplace in 1839, the original packages of money being- 
sent back in a French warship, specially detailed for that purpose ; the return being 
accompanied with considerable ceremonial and mutual expressions of friendship 
and regard. 

5. In 1845, the late Bishop Maigret, who, during his long life here, held the con- 
fidence and respect of all classes and nationalities, irrespective of religions faith, 
wrote to Capt. Le Compt, of the French ship V Heroine, as follows : 

" Honolulu, Aug. 7, 1845. 

"M. Commandant: 

" I am happy to be able to inform you that we enjoy, at this moment, perfect tran- 
quility, that all our old subjects of complaint have entirely disappeared, and that 
it is, iii a great part, to the conduct, prudent and full of sagacity, of our estimable 
consul, that we owe this happy result. * 

"The number of our neophytes amounts to-day to 14,000. We nave a hundred 
schools and nearly 3,000 children Avho attend them; sites for our churches have been 
granted to us. Our schoolmasters have been licensed, and have even received 
encouragement. The marriages of our Christians are no longer thwarted. We can 
not, then, do otherwise than give our praises of the Government in respect tons, and 
we pray yon instantly 1 to be pleased to instruct the Admiral.' 

" Be pleased to receive the assurance of the perfect consideration, with Avhich I 
have the honor to be M. Commandant, 

"Your very humble and obedient servant, 

"L. D. Maigret. 

"Monsier Le Compt, 

" Commandant of the French Corvette V Heroine." 

6. In 1846 Bishop Maigret wrote a precisely similar letter. 

7. In 1846 a new treaty was concluded with France, eliminating the harsh terms 
of the treaty of Laplace of 1839. This produced an exceedingly friendly feeling 
toward France, which continued unbroken until, unhappily for both parties, M. 
Dudoit retired in 1848 from the French consulship and M. Dillon was appointed in 
his place. 

M. Dillon immediately initiated a systematic and irritating interference in the 
internal affairs of the Kingdom, arising largely out of personal hostility to R. C. 
Wyllie, minister of foreign affairs, picking flaws and making matters of extended 
diplomatic correspondence over circumstances of trifling importance. This con- 
tinued until 1849, when the French Admiral Tromelin arrived, and after a short 
conference with M. Dillon the celebrated "ten demands " were formulated and pre- 
sented to the Hawaiian Government with the peremptory request for immediate 
action. None of these demands referred to or mentioned the events of 18-19. 

Pending negotiations for the settlement of these demands the unprovoked spolia- 
tion of the fort, the destruction of the governor's furniture, and the seizure and 
removal of the King's private yacht took place, and Admiral Tromelin sailed away 
without further enforcement of the demands. 

8. In 1850 Hawaiian representatives went to France and attempted to obtain 
reparation for the losses and indignities sustained and to come to an understanding 
to prevent a repetition of them, but without results. 

9. In 1851 a new French consul, M. Perin, was appointed. Upon his arrival here 
he immediately, to the surprise of every one, re-presented the same "ten demands" 
which had been presented in 1849 by M. Dill ion, although part of them had been 
already settled. An immediate compliance with the demands was required. 

10. In 1849 and 1851 the foreign residents of Honolulu of all factions and all nation- 
alities were a unite in favor of the Hawaiian Government and against the demands of 
France. This is evidenced by the fact that one of the ten demands for payment of 
damages to M. Victor was immediately paid by subscription by the foreign mer- 
chants under the following circumstances, as appears by the correspondence here- 
under set forth. 

"Honolulu, September 1, 1849. 
"Sir: I have the honor to inclose you a copy of the subscription list signed by 
the most respectable portion of the foreigners residing in Honolulu, unconnected 
with the Government, together with the copies of the account of Victor Chancerel 
and his receipt, of which documents (bearing testimony as to the feeling of the 
community towards Her Hawaiian Majesty's Government in connection with the 
French claim, towards the officers and crew of Her Britannic Majesty's ship Amphi- 
trite) you will make such use as you may deem proper. 

" I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 

" H. Sea. 

"His Excellency R. C. Wyllie, 

"Minister of Foreign Belations." 



40 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



[Inclosure 1.] 



Understanding that one of the demands of the French against the Hawaiian Gov- 
ernment is for damages claimed by M.Victor, for disorderly conduct of some of the 
seamen belonging to Her Britannic Majesty's ship Amphitrite, we, the undersigned, 
not wishing any stain to rest on the Amphitrite or crew, agree to liquidate said 
claim : 



G. W. Hunter $3.50 

Sea & Surnners 3.50 

W.Wond 3.50 

A. Porter 3. 50 

H. Macfarlane 3. 50 

F. Withington 3.50 

James Robinson & Co 7. 00 

Isaac Montgomery. 3. 50 

John Meek 3.50 

Robert G. Davis 3. 50 

J.C.Spalding 3.50 

A n dre w Auld 1.00 

C.H.Marshall 1.00 

J.M.Stanley 3.50 

C.P.Robinson 3.50 

Joseph Booth 3.50 

E.Brown 3.50 

George Pelly 3.50 



Dugald Mactavish $3.50 

W. J. Robertson 2. 00 

William Gill 3. 50 

J. Macduff 2. 00 

James Austin 2. 00 

R. S. Barker 2. 00 

D.N.Flitner 3.50 

Makee & Anthon 3. 50 

A. B. Howe 3. 50 

Swan & Clifford.; 3.50 

W.Phillips 2.00 

Everett & Co 3. 50 

S. W. Williams & Co 3. 50 

A. H. Fayerweather 2.00 

A.H.Parker 2.00 

T. Cummins 3. 00 

George Friel 2. 00 

Samuel Thompson 2. 00 



A much larger sum was subscribed, but as so many persons wished to sign, the 
amount of subscription was lowered as above. 

H. Sea. 

[Inclosure 2. ] 



Honolulu, August 30, 1847. 

Received of Henry Sea, esq.,, the sum of $93.50, being amount claimed by me 
against IT. B. M.'s Amphitrite for damages done by her crew at the French hotel, 
kept by me in Honolulu, and being one of the demands made by Admiral de Trome- 
lin against the Hawaiian Government. 

$93.50. 

V. Chancerel. 

Witness to signature, 
Wm, Sumner. 

A true copy of original receipt in my possession. 

H. Sea. 

It will be noticed that many nationalities are represented in this document, and 
two of the signers of the document of 1839, John Meek and George Pelly, were also 
signers of the above document, which they would not have been had the circum- 
stances of the then French demand been J.)ased upon the differences of 1839. The 
"Hon. J. C. Jones " had left the country. Incidentally it may be stated that Mr. 
Jones was not United Slates consul in 1839, he having beeu removed from that 
office by his own Government, in 1838, on account of his disreputable character. 

11. The unsubstantial nature of the French claims of 1849 and 1851 are evidenced 
by the fact that upon a knowledge of the situation relating to the United States 
coining to the French consul he withdrew the " ten demands " and substituted in 
place thereof a mild statement of four points which was presented for the " consid- 
eration" of the Hawaiian Government, which points were thereupon referred by M. 
Perin to his Government for consideration, and nothing further was ever said or 
done about the "ten demands. " 

There continued to be disconnected diplomatic correspondence with France upon 
various subjects until 1857, when a treaty was concluded with her much more favor- 
able in its terms to Hawaii than any of the three previous treaties with France. 

Since that date our relations with France have been without cause of complaint, 
and we are indebted to the French Government and people for many acts of kind- 
ness and courtesy, and are now upon the most cordial terms with France. 

In view of the fact that the early religious difficulties between the Hawaiian Gov- 
ernment and members of the Catholic faith have been practically made the basis of 
the charges against me, it is not inappropriate for me to here say for the last forty 
or fifty years the Catholic bishops and. their subordinates in this country have ever 
been the warm friends of the Hawaiian Government during its many succeeding 
administrations, and the staunch supporters of peace and good order during the 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



41 



many trying periods tb rough which the country has been called upon to pass; and 
that this has been largely due to the highminded and liberal character of the late 
Bishop Maigret and his successors, by reason of which the Catholic and Protestant 
faiths have flourished in the country, side by side, with little or no friction. 

Concerning the personal abuse heaped upon me by the Herald, I have nothing to 
say. 

Concerning the aspersions upon the character of my ancestors in this country, I 
would say that their records are too deeply engraven upon the history of this coun- 
try to require any defense by me. 

If I have disproved the charge of having "purposely and knowingly garbled and 
misstated Hawaiian history for political purposes/' I claim that, in the interest of 
civilized journalism, the responsible editor of the Herald should, at -least, admit 
that he was misinformed as to the facts upon which he based his charges. 

In conclusion, I here reaffirm the fact, which was the only point I sought to estab- 
lish at the armory, that the United States of America has always, under all circum- 
stances, and upon all occasions, been our true friend, and that she has ever exhibited 
toward, and extended to, the native Hawaiians and all residents of other nationali- 
ties dwelling within the borders of Hawaii, without discrimination of race or creed, 
the same unchanging kindly assistance, support, and good faith, and there is no indi- 
cation of any change of such policy. 

Lorrin A. Thurston. 

Honolulu, February 1, 1890. 



A rousing meeting. — A large gathering of citizens interested in reform at the Old Armory. 

Yesterday evening a mass meeting of the fourth ward was held at the Old Armory. 
There was a large attendance, including many prominent citizens. The meeting 
throughout was of the most enthusiastic nature. It was called to order by Mr. J. 
H. Fisher, who nominated Mr. Theodore C. Porter as chairman amid applause. Mr. E. 
O. White undertook the duties of secretary, and Mr. Luther Wilcox was interpreter. 

Mr. Porter said they had met to hear the views and expressions of their candidates 
and others. He would first call upon his excellency Mr. Thurston, minister of the 
interior. 

Mr. L. A. Thurston, who was received with applause, said: The course of the 
opposition for the last few weeks reminds me of a statement recently made by 
Chauncey M. Depew in connection with the recent election in New York. He stated, 
that formerly the Democratic party learned nothing and forgot notning, that its 
present exponents learned nothing and forgot everything. That is just the situation 
with the present opposition, although the country has a history concerning its rela- 
tions with France, England, and the United States for the past fifty years they have 
learned nothing from it, and have forgotten all of it that they ever knew. They 
ignore facts and history and are running a campaign on ignorance and prejudice. 
They are pursuing the same course and using the same incendiary arguments and 
appeals to race feeling that they did prior to the 30th of July last. It led to blood- 
shed then and will not be their fault if it does not lead to bloodshed now. 

The question of our relations with our great neighbor is a live issue with us. It 
affects us, our children, and our future. The only argument of the opposition is 
that the Government is trying to sell out the country and that the United States is 
trying to gobble us up. They state that we shall have to keep a watch on the 
United States or else they will come and take away our independence. It shows 
they have learned nothing of our past history. I will state briefly what the history 
of this country with France and England has been. In 1839 a French man-of-war 
arrived and demanded $20,000 damages. The Government was very poor and had to 
scratch around for money, finally getting it from white people, to save bombard- 
ment. At the point of the gun the captain forced the Government to make a most 
unjust treaty, one claim of which was that there should not be more than 5 per cent 
duty charged on imports from France. In 1843 France and England entered into a 
treaty. They agreed not to interfere with this Government, which was not a party 
to it. If either country chose to take the country to-day they could ; the treaty is 
between themselves, so far as that treaty is concerned. In 1849 another French war 
vessel arrived, and, trumping up a lot of charges, said if the Government did not 
come to terms, the King would be deposed and they would take the country. He 
would not weary them with all the demands, simply mentioning, four as follows : 

1. That all correspondence between the two countries should be in French. 2. That 
the Catholic schools should have paid Catholic inspectors (the schools had an in- 
spector for both Protestant and Catholic schools). 3. A small boy having gone into 
the Catholic Church, made fun of the priest and stuck his finger in the holy water, 
that such sacrilege should not be repeated. 4. Because certain English sailors had 
gone into a Frenchman's saloon, got drunk on his brandy, and broke his glasses, a 



42 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



bill was made out for damages. This last demand was so ridiculous that the mer- 
chants subscribed $3.50 each and paid the damages. This clause was withdrawn. 
While the Government was trying to arrange matters, and while the prime minister 
was on board the French man-of-war, a squad of soldiers was sent ashore, who took 
possession of the fort, dismantled the guns, threw them into the harbor, went to 
Governor Kekuanaoa's house, smashed the furniture, and threw it into the yard. 
As a finale, the French took the private yatch belonging to Kamehameha III and 
sailed it to Tahiti. It has never been heard of since nor has any compensation ever 
been made for it. They finally withdrew their claims. Next year Dr. Judd went 
to England and France and tried to arrive at some definite settlement with the French 
and see that it should not be repeated. He was put off, and returned to the islands 
in 1851. He had not been home long before another French vessel came in with 
similar demands. The Government at that time was weak, and in desperation the 
legislature passed the following*: 

JOINT KESOLUTION. 

Be it resolved by the nobles and representatives of the Hawaiian Islands in legislative 
council assembled, That, in . the sense of this house, the demands of France are so 
clearly unjust, and contrary to the laws of nations and to treaty; and the course 
pursued by her is so incompatible with the existence of a regular independent gov- 
ernment in these islands. If France should persist in such a course, it will be the 
duty of the King to shield himself and his Kingdom from insult and oppression, by 
placing this Kingdom under the protection of some friendly state, and that should 
such emergence'' be so urgent as not to admit of the legislative council being con- 
vened, it shall be left to His Majesty, by and with the advice of his privy council, 
under such emergency, to consult the honor and safety of his Kingdom according to 
His Majesty's best judgment; and that whatever he may do, will be binding ;ipon 
the nation. 

Passed both houses of the Legislature, June 21, 1851. 

Wm. L. Lee, 

Speaker of the Rouse of Representatives. 

Keoni Ax a, 
President of the House of Xobles. 

Approved by the King, August 4, 1851. 

Kamehameha. 

Keoni Ana. 

He would state some facts which formed part of the unwritten history of this 
country, which were probably not known by a dozen people. The Government 
invited General Miller, British consul, to see them, and after telling him of France's 
demands, asked him if England would protect the Islands, from France. General 
Miller replied, "I can not do it; we have a treaty (1843) with France." The Gov- 
ernment then sent for Mr. Severance, father of the present United States consul- 
general, who at that time was the United States representative, and asked him if 
the United States would protect the Islands against France. He said, "They will." 
[Applause.] In accordance with the authority of the statute, a treaty was drawn up, 
and from this you can decide who has been the friend of this country when it 
needed a friend most. The treaty which is now made public for the first time is as 
follows : 

We, Kamehameha III, by the grace of God of the Hawaiian* Islands, King: 

By and Avith the advice of our kuhina nui and counsellors of native chiefs, finding 
our relations with France so oppressive to my Kingdom, so inconsistent with its 
rights as an independent State, and so obstructive of all our endeavors to administer 
the government of our Islands with equal justice with all nations and equal inde- 
pendence of all foreign control and despairing of equity and justice from France, 
hereby proclaim as our royal will and pleasure that all our Islands and all our rights 
as sovereign over them are from the date hereof placed under the protection and 
safeguard of the United States of America until some arrangements can be made to 
place our said relations with France upon a footing compatible with my rights as 
an independent sovereign under the laws of nations and compatible with my treaty 
engagements with other foreign nations ; or, if such arrangements be found imprac- 
ticable, then it is our wish and pleasure that the protection aforesaid under the United 
States of America be perpetual. 

And we further proclaim, as aforesaid, that fr«m the date of publication hereof 
the flag of the United States of America shall be hoisted above the national ensign 
on all our forts and places and vessels navigating with Hawaiian registers. 

Done at our palace at Honolulu this 10th day of March, A. D. 1851, and in the 
twenty-sixth year of our reign. 

[l. s.] Kamehameha. 
Keoni Ana. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



43 



That King' who signed it was the great and enlightened Kauikeaouli, who did 
more for his people than any other of the Hawaiian Kings, being the one who gave 
the people lands. He made the treaty, relying fully on the generosity and integrity 
of the United States, and his trust was not betrayed. [Applause.] That treaty was 
sent to the United States and laid there for months. The French admiral finally 
hearing something of the treaty withdrew his claim and left the country. 
[Laughter.] It may be of interest to mention that the U. S. S. Vandalia, so well 
known here, was in the harbor at the time and rendered assistance. Orders were 
given to Marshal Parke and he sewed Hawaiian and American flags together, the 
latter at the top, and sent them to all the sheriffs. He had one in the fort ready to 
hoist directly the French landed. 

There was the situation, the country was ceded and the deed in the hands of the 
United States Government. The King, with the full knowledge and consent of the 
Legislature, of the chiefs and of his cabinet, had deliberately and formally ceded 
the country to the United States, and that Government had only to sit still and do 
nothing in order to hold the country. If they had done so this would have been 
United States territory to-day. The American Government on learning that this had 
happened under pressure and fear of the French, said it would not be fair to take 
advantage of the situation. The treaty, which had never been published, was 
returned, the flag was never hoisted, and we remain a free and independent country 
to-day solely through the generosity of the United States of America. [Loud 
applause.] The episode when the British took possession in 1843 is well known to 
all. For seven months the British flag floated over the islands. The King was 
deposed, ministers were out of office, the records of the Government show that the 
entire Government was carried on by Lord George Panlet and his subordinati s. 
Another episode simply shows the feeling of the United States Government towards 
us. The United States frigate Constitution came into the harbor, the deposed King 
going on board. The royal standard was hoisted and a salute of 21 guns tired. 
Lord Panlet protested, saying "The islands are British territory, and you are salut- 
ing a man who has no authority." 

The American admiral replied, "I have recognized the man who is the King of the 
country, and if you do not like it you Can lump it." [Laughter.] England nobly 
atoned and has been a good friend to us ever since. Is there any question who has 
been our friend in the past, and who will continue to be our friend, first, last, and 
all the time? The United States has always been friendly towards these islands. 
The foreign office is full of expressions of regard and good- will from that country 
from the earliest records down to the last mail. A number of men in the opposition 
ranks were in the country and particijmted in these matters, but they have learned 
nothing from it and have forgotten it all. Now they have the cold impudence to 
come forward and talk about giving the United States the go-by and going to France 
for protection — through our distrust of the intention of the United States. They 
say that Thurston, Damon, and the other damned missionaries are going to sell the 
independence of the country; that they, the patriots, are the ones who will preserve 
it. Wilcox and men of his stripe are doingmore to destroy the independence of this 
country than any other person. They are striving to produce a state of anarchy, 
and it will not take many more of such events of July 30 to lose our independence, 
and then who will we have to thank for it but the gallant leader of the opposition, 
R. W. Wilcox. [Loud and continued applause.] 

The object of political discussion is to present arguments on principles involved, 
pro and con, and let the people decide at the polls. The opposition have a platform ; 
do they discuss it? Do they discuss the Chinese question, development of the 
country, or the immigration question? On the contrary, we see Wilcox stigmatizing 
his countrymen as " traitors, murderers, thieves, and robbers/' and he proposes "to 
break their necks, stamp on them, and throw them in the water and let the sharks 
eat them." Those are his arguments, by which he tries to show his patriotism. 
He went to Italy to be educated, and it has been the burden of his comjdaint that 
because the Government had supported and educated him for seven years it owed 
him an office and living, and that because he did not get it he was forced into despair 
and revolution. I have not heretofore stated that upon his return he came to me 
and asked me for something to do. I sent him to the superintendent of water works, 
who keeps in a book a record of water privileges, showing the distance from the 
sidewalk to the block. Mr. Wilson told Wilcox the record was two or three months 
behind, and he would give him $100 a month to keep it, and more if he did the work 
satisfactorily. 

Wilcox took up the record book, and said that as the figures were in feet and 
inches and he had been educated in meters he did not feel competent to undertake 
the work. [Laughter.] He walked sadly and slowly out of the office from the $100 
with unknown feet and inches to despair and revolution. [Laughter.] Wilcox's 
chief grievance was that his education had been cut off in the middle. If he could 
only have had two years more to complete his course he would have been equipped 



44 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



for the battle of life. If ho had had those two years more schooling he might then 
have been able to translate feet ninl inches into 'meters. [Laughter.] The Bulletin 
states there is no issue between the two parties; that whoever is elected, things will 
slide on about the same. I say there are live issues in this election and the future 
of this country depends a great deal on how it is decided. If Bush is to run bridge 
contracts and foreign diplomacy and AVilcox the engineering department, there will 
be a very different state of things to what the reform party has done. I leave it to 
you, next Wednesday, to say whether the reform Government shall go on with its 
work or whether you wish to see R. W. Wilcox sitting, with an Italian uniform on. 
in the Government building. 



wilcox's love of liberty. 

The Voice of the Nation says that E. W. Wilcox has imbibed too much of the spirit 
of liberty to undertake to pull this Government back to arbitrary methods and the 
old order of things. This is pretty good, considering that Wilcox himself testified 
on the stand, under oath, that his new constitution which he had prepared was like 
the old constitution, with but few minor changes. 

It will be remembered, also, that he testified that he showed his constitution to 
Mr. Pahia, who told him that he had better put some check upon the power of the 
King to arbitrarily dismiss his cabinet, but that he (Wilcox) replied: "If you have 
a king, make him a king, just like the European kings. 

How much of the spirit of free institutions Mr. Wilcox has imbibed the reader 
can see, when he recollects that Wilcox complains continually in his speeches about 
the mixture of all classes in this country. 

Who does not remember his hackneyed information that " there are three classes 
in Italy: First, royalty; second, the middle class; third, the rest of the people — 
farmers, traders,, etc. ; and that none of the third class can even get into the second 
class, never mind how much they improve their condition ?" 



m 

AN IG-NOBLE SPEECH. 

Mr. H. G. Crabbe is running as a noble for the Island of Oahu. While we are not 
sticklers for form or too much dignity and reserve, still we, in common with all 
jieople, recognize the fact that the position of noble is intended to represent the 
more conservative, dignified, and staid element in the legislative body. 

Mr. Crabbe, so far from maintaining his dignity in "the opposition meeting at 
Palama last week, indulged himself in the use of billingsgate that would have done 
credit to an artist in the use of such language. 

Getting more and more personal, he called Mr. Achi a " little half-Chinese 
monkey," and wound up finally with an out-and-out filthy epithet in Hawaiian, 
which raised a murmur of disapproval among the native listeners that were stand- 
ing by. 

For fear that the reader will hardly credit this, and will take the opposition 
general denial as correct, we challenge Mr. Crabbe to deny it if he can. 



WHO IS VIOLATING THE LAW ? 

Mr. Macfarlane is credited, in his speech to the natives last Saturday night at 
the old armory, with saying that the opposition would peaceably abide the result 
of the election if defeated, but that it looked as if the reform party would not; that 
already the reform party were taking steps to challenge and shut off opposition 
electors from their vote. 

The trouble is that it is the opposition itself and not the reform party that pur- 
poses to break the law, and has already done so. Unquestionably a large number 
of parties have registered as noble voters at the instigation of runners of the oppo- 
sition who are not qualified to vote for nobles or anywhere near it, and per- 
jured themselves thereby. These men should be challenged, and undoubtedly will 
be, and without placing the reform party open to the charge of wishing to make a 
disturbance or to violate the law. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



45 



Mr. Macfarlane would do much better if lie asserted more control over his party 
and urged his following not to attempt to vote the noble tickets next Wednesday, 
even though on the register of noble voters, if, as a matter of fact, they violate the 
law and their consciences in so doing. 



To-morrow will be the election day in which eight men will be chosen, for better 
or worse, to bold power without further control on our part until the year 1896. 
Eight more will serve for four years, and the balance — both representatives and 
nobles — for two years. 

The six-year men will be still in the legislature when our present treaty relations 
with the United States shall have expired, and all will have very important measures 
to pass upon before election day comes round again. 

It is customary, we believe, to spring new matter on your opponeuts at the last 
minute, when it is too late for them to refute it. 

We believe, however, that such a course is cowardly, and brings neither credit to 
the man who does it or much harm to the party against whom it is aimed, and we 
have refrained in this (practically) our last issue to present any new personal 
charges against the opposition. What charges we have made have been made 
openly and with full opportunity given the object of our attack to defend himself or 
themselves from it. 

A charge kept back at the last minute is usually kept back because if put forward 
soon euou'gh could be refuted. A well-founded charge should stand the test of a 
publie sifting. 



A SERIOUS CHARGE. 

Mr. John Phillips is indignant that the board of education has had the temerity 
to advertise for bids for the erection of schoolhouses and accept the lowest bid in 
all cases where they were satisfied that the bidder was responsible and able to ful- 
fill his contract. This is indeed a serious charge ! Why, it gives the poor mechanic, 
even though he is a native Hawaiian, an equal chance, so far as the board is con- 
cerned, with the owner of a planing mill! Those who are opposed to such a fair 
way of transacting business will vote for Mr. Phillips. 



A. DENIAL BY THE CABINET. — THE PROPOSED TREATY NEGOTIATIONS AND THE LAND 

ING OF THE TROOPS. 

Some three months ago the cabinet met a committee of citizens who desired 
information concerning the proposed revision of our treaty relations with the United 
States. 

Full information was verbally given at the time, and in the course of a few days a 
lengthy written statement was published. 

The committee made no report to the meeting which appointed them, although 
they several times announced that they intended to report. 

In yesterday's Herald a member of the committee makes an altogether false state- 
ment in the native language of what occurred at that interview. He states that the 
committee were told by the cabinet that the King had rejected two sections of a pro- 
posed treaty, they being sections which allowed the landing of troops with their 
munitions of war. 

No such statement was made. 

We would further state that no proposition to allow the landing of troops and 
munitions of war on Hawaiian soil has been made either by the United States or the 
Hawaiian Government, nor will any such proposition be entertained or supported 
by the present administration. 

Lorrin A. Thurston. 
Jona Austin. 
S. M. Damon. 



46 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



AMERICA'S GOOD FAITH AND GENEROSITY. 

Amid all of the snarling, wrangling, and blackguarding of the opposition, and 
their attempts to engender bad blood and prejudice against the United States, the 
fact stands out bold and clear that : 

Hawaii voluntarily surrendered her independence io the United States and the United 
States voluntarily restored it. 

TEN REASONS EOR SUPPORTING THE REFORM PARTY. 

1. The Reform party has given us a free constitution. 

2. It has vigorously instituted and carried on a policy of public improvements. 

3. It has improved our reputation and credit abroad. (Under its administration 
government bonds have gone to a premium.) 

4. It has borrowed money at a lower rate than ever before. 

5. It has energetically pursued the policy of segregating the lepers. 

6. It has introduced the principle of civil-service reform. 

7. It has reduced the number of Chinese in the country by 3,000. 

8. It has opened up several hundred holdings to settlers under the homestead act. 

9. It has been economical. 

10. It has swept away a corrupt regime Avith all its attendant abuses, and has 
thereby abolished the use of the civil service for partisan purposes, the control of 
the Legislature by the Crown, the misappropriation of public funds, the violation of 
law in the conduct of office, the wasting of the public resources in discreditable 
enterprises, impoverishing the country at home and disgracing it abroad, and the 
neglect of necessary public improvements, besides a host of other things which our 
space forbids us to mention. 



TEN REASONS FOR NOT SUPPORTING THE "NATIONAL REFORM PARTY." 

1. Because its prominent leaders are opposed to the new constitution. 

2. Because it proposes to revise the constitution in some unknown way. 

3. Because it proposes to modify or abolish altogether the property qualification. 

4. Because it proposes the election of certain public officers by the people 
(which is not known). 

5. Because its declared foreign policy is dangerous to the reciprocity treaty, and 
consequently to the commercial prosperity of the country. 

6. Because it is unwise to abandon a party which has deserved well of the country. 

7. Because a change of administration is always in itself a serious misfortune, and 
will be injurious to our credit abroad. 

8. Because the candidates of the party, with some honorable exceptions, are com- 
posed of men either without any record or with a bad one. 

9. Because the party has conducted the campaign by a systematic attempt to 
rouse race hatred and set the Hawaiian against the entire foreign element. 

10. Because this campaign is an undisguised attempt to nullify all the fruits of 
the revolution of 1887, and to carry out the insurrection of 1889. 

Which ticket are you going to vote? 



VOTE FOR PERMANENT RECIPROCITY. ITS EFFECT ON WOOL. 

Wool, upon which a duty of ten cents a pound exists and which now barely pays 
the expense of putting on the market, and which we now ship across two oceans to 
Germany and elsewhere, would go through the Golden Gate, and the abolition of 
the duty would put sheep on every available spot on the mountain slopes of Mauna 
Loa and Mauna Kea., where the single station of Humuula now tells what might be 
done with sheep if an impossible duty did not shut our wool out from the market 
which nature has ordained to be our national outlet. 

VOTE FOR PERMANENT RECIPROCITY". ITS EFFECTS UPON OUR FRUIT INDUSTRY. 

Permanent reciprocity means that every banana, lime, pineapple, orange, cocoa- 
nut, etc., that we raise goes into the United States free of duty until the crack of 
doom. It means that fruit orchards, which under a seven years' treaty there is no 
use to create or .spend any money on, will cover that home of tropical fruit, the two 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



47 



Konas, and cultivated bananas will be found in every one of the thousand gulches 
of the Hilo district, "which, too steep for cultivation of sugar, now lie idle between 
the fields of cane. It means that the wood Jands, running 60 miles from Hilo to 
Kukuihaele, too high for cane, will afford a home for the lime and coffee tree, where 
one can now see limes as large and coffee as healthy as ever gladdened the eye of 
man. 

Waialua, whose orange trees, neglected and slighted as they are, still insist on 
bearing fruit which discount California's best, will be as familiar an object in the 
hotels of the Pacific slope as Florida's favorites are in the markets of the East. 

VOTE FOR PERMANENT RECIPROCITY. ITS EFFECT ON CLERKS. 

Clerks can remember the Hon. Charles R. Bishop, P. C. Jones, J. C. Glade, T. H. 
Davies, and many others, who came here and worked their way up the ladder step 
by step, and with the upward movement of permanent reciprocity commence to 
climb the stairs themselves. It looks as if the clerks of this city were now booked to 
remain such for good, or else be fired out by Asiatics ; but new times will make a change. 

Remember that a name scratched is a vote lost for the party that constitutes 
the backbone and enterprise of the land. 

That a vote for the best man on the other side, as the issues have narrowed down, 
is a vote for all that that man has identified himself with. 



VOTE FOR PERMANENT RECIPROCITY. ITS EFFECT ON MECHANICS. 

Mechanics can remember that Young, and Renton, and Thomas, and Daniel Fos- 
ter, and many others coming here as mechanics, worked their way to the front on 
the tide of prosperity which came with reciprocity, and from their example can take 
heart that in a newer and broader commercial dispensation they, too, will work their 
way to that competency which is the legitimate ambition of every honest man, but 
which seems shut out by the absorption of one developed industry. 

Remember that your vote is essential to the sure and complete overthrow of the 
reactionary elements among us; 

That the men on your ticket represent the spirit of progress among us, and as such 
should be elected to a man. 

VOTE FOR PERMANENT RECIPROCITY. ITS EFFECT ON CAPITAL. 

Abiding, which can not be revoked without mutual consent, means the settling of 
values and the restful confidence of capital. The complaint against the steady 
withdrawal from the country of hundreds of thousands of dollars made in it would 
cease, for there would be no occasion for it. 

REFORM PARTY. GENERAL ELECTION OF 1890. PLATFORM. 

X. We pledge ourselves to maintain inviolate the autonomy and independence of 
this Kingdom, while securing at the same time the amplest commercial benefits in 
our treaty relations with the United States. 

2. To secure adequate legislation, by constitutional amendment or otherwise, 
whereby Asiatic immigration shall be restricted to the agricultural necessities of 
the country, and Chinese not now engaged in trade or the mechanical occupations 
shall be prohibited from hereafter engaging therein. 

3. To favor wise and liberal appropriations for internal improvements, and to sus- 
tain a progressive policy in the development of our national resources. 

4. To secure such an extension of the present homestead act as will facilitate the ■ 
settlement of small landholders throughout the Kingdom. 

5. To procure for the people an honest, economic, and efficient administration in 
all departments of the Government. • 

CANDIDATES. 

For Nobles— Island of Oahu— lion. W. C. Wilder, Hon. M. P. Robinson, Hon. W. 
Q. Smith, six years. Hon. J. I. Dowsett, sr., Robert Lishman, R. J. Greene, four 
years. S. M. Kaaukal, E. S. Kunha, B. F. Dillingham, two years. 

For Eepresentatives— District of Kona, Oahu— District 1 : Hon. Cecil Brown. Dis- 
trict 2: S. K. Kane. District 3: M. A. Gonsalves. District 4: James F Morgan 
District 5: W. C. Achi. District 6: J. L. Kaulukou. District 7: — . District 8: 
J. I. Dowsett, jr. 



48 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



For Nobles — Island of Hawaii. — J. Kauhane, J. M. Horner, six years. R. R. Hind, 
Hon. Dr. J. Wight, four years. Hon. Samuel Parker, Dr. C. H. Wetniore, two years. 

For Represntatives — Island of Hawaii. — South Hilo : R. Ry croft. Central Hilo: 
Geo. Kaihenua. North Hilo : Albert Horner. Haniakua : W. H. Rickard. Kohala: 
J. W. Moanauli. Kona: . Kau: . 

For Nobles — Island of Maui. — Hon. H. P. Baldwin, W. Y. Horner, six years. W. 
H. Cornwell, R. D. Walbridge, four years. Jas. Anderson, L. Von Tempsky, two 
years. 

For Representatives — Island of Maui. — Wailuku, district 1: W. K. Makakoa. 
Wailuku, district 2: Patrick Cockett. Makawao: W. H. Halstead. Hana: Jos. U. 
Ka wainui. Lahaina : . Molokai : . 

For Nobles — Island of Kauai. — Hon. Geo. N. Wilcox, six years. Hon. P. P. Kanoa, 
four years. Hon. P. Isenberg, sr., two years. 

For Representatives — Island of Kauai. — Hanalei : Hon. A. S. Wilcox. Lihue: Hon. 
W. H. Rice. Wainiea: V. Kuudsen. 

To the readers of the Times: 

W T hen your eyes shall rest upon this last issue of the Times, election day will 
already have partly run its course. 

At such a time above all others we would make no mad aj>peal for the Reform 
party, no loud declamation against the opposition ; but wish ouly to address you in 
the language of soberness and truth. 

A strong movement, like that begun on the 30th of June, by the Reform party 
must naturally expect some day to have to meet the reactionary wave that is 
always sure to follow. That wave has come to-day full-crested with the accumu- 
lated passions, prejudices, and disappointment of those who, like the Bourbon of 
France, " decline to forget anything or to learn anything new," and while you are 
now scanning these lines those two waves are meeting in a clash and collision that 
will settle things one way or other before the sun goes down. 

If, after the collision, the Reform party is found still moving on, then reaction is 
gone forever. Bush,- Wilcox, and their partisans have lost their employment for 
good. Nothing can then revive the past. 

If, however, reform goes down, the leadership of Wilcox and his following are 
assured, and hundreds of dubious hearts will follow in his train and hasten to 
enforce his mandates and back up his demands who now are waiting to see which 
way the tide will turn. 

We believe this country will never see social or political place as long as men can 
run politics on race lines or consent to reap the advantages to such work when done 
by hirelings. Every man who is opposed to such methods should see to it that 
Messrs. Widemann, Macfarlane, Muller, Philips, and others are rebuked to-day for 
such a course, to the end that it maybe established in this land of varied races from 
now on, that any political party, howeA^er laudable its objects may be, which seeks 
to secure them at the price of stirring up ill-will and race prejudice among the peo- 
ple, will for that act alone be snowed under so deep that even Gabriel's political 
trumpet will fail to rouse it from its slumbers. 

We. believe that an intelligent glance at the platform of the Opposition shows 
clearly, and the tone of its campaign confirms the fact, that it will if successful in- 
augurate a foreign policy inimical to the United States and imminently dangerous 
to our present commercial relations with that country. Feeling as we do that the 
whole fabric of society with us, political, social, and commercial, rests on that sheet 
of parchment we call the treaty, we can not, as a public organ, but warn the people 
against the folly of provoking results which will blight and bankrupt the country, 
drive out mechanics, force property on the market until it becomes a drug, and 
compel the delivery of the country once and for all over to Asiatics as the only class 
that could survive the collapse and save the forty millions invested in sugar. 

Let us hold to our present treaty relations with the United States as a drowning 
man clings to the life buoy. Let us in all honorable ways promote the good will 
and fellowship now existing between our neighbor and ourselves, and press for such 
broader aud more permanent commercial relations as will give this country and all 
the spare capital within it a new start, and to the young men of the land fuller and 
increasing opportunities to make a start in life for themselves. 

With these words the Times bids the public farewell, with many thanks for its 
kind reception. Aloha nui! 

Remember ! That your opponents will vote the straight party ticket. 

That they will not scratch any names in favor of men on your ticket whom you 
like best. 

That those who advise you to scratch do so in the interests of the party whom you 
wish to see defeated. 

That if the Reform party wins the election, progressive constitutional government 
is assured . 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



49 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 17.] Department of State, 

Washington, March 4, 1890. 
Sir : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential dispatch 
(No. 17) of the 7th ultimo, touching the result of the late election in 
the Hawaiian Islands, and its probable effect on the interests of the 
United States. It has been read with attention. 
I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 19.] Department of State, 

Washington, March 6, 1890. 
Sir. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 18 of the 10th 
ultimo, by which I learn that, contrary to the indications of the first 
" returns n of the late elections in the Hawaiian Islands, the result 
throughout the islands proves favorable to the "reform party" and 
the present ministry. 
I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, 

[Confidential.] 

No. 20.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, March 20, 1890. 

Sir : The archives of the Department of State are conclusive evi- 
dences of the interest which the Government of the United. States has 
long taken in the affairs of the Hawaiian Islands. That these terri- 
tories are of great importance to the future development and defense 
of American commerce in the Pacific, hardly will be questioned. To 
secure the influence over them which the United States so long has 
considered its right and duty to maintain, some decisive steps must 
soon be taken which, in the past, were not of pressing necessity. For 
more than half a century the American Missionary Board, with the 
agencies and influences in its control, has served as a strong fortress 
to the United States in these islands. The large financial contribu- 
tions, amounting to nearly one million of dollars, which that organiza- 
tion obtained through innumerable channels of American benevolence 
and religious zeal, and the large number of educated and resolute 
agents which it sent to these islands, secured an influence over the 
ruling chiefs and native population which held them as firmly to 
America as a permanent military force could have done. 

But a change of facts and circumstances in recent years is bringing 
near the time when this well- sustained power must be strongly rein- 
forced. In a large and increasing degree other influences have come 
in to counterbalance and relatively to decrease the American mission- 
ary influences. The native population of sixty years ago is reduced to 
H, Ex, 48 4 



50 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



less than a third it then was, and is continually growing less. The 
chiefs, who were formerly the supports of monarchy and mainly con- 
trolled the affairs of the islands and who for many years were largely 
influenced by the teachings of the American pastors, no longer exist. 
The grave has closed over them forever. The native pastors, who now 
hold the placos once occupied by the American missionaries, have not 
the strong American sympathies of their predecessors, and if they had 
they possess not the strength of character to hold their parishes by 
any effective influence relative to affairs pf government. Of the ninety 
thousand population now on these islands less than one-half is of the 
original Hawaiian race, and but a small proportion of the lands and 
other property are in their possession. 

The following is believed to be very nearly the present make-up of the 
population: Natives, 37,500 ; half-cast, 5,000; Chinese, 19,000; Ameri- 
can, 3,000; Hawaiian, born of foreign parents, 3,000; Britons, 1,250; 
Portuguese, 12,000; Germans, 1,500; French, 150; Japanese, 8,400; 
Norwegian, 250; other foreigners, 500; Polynesian, 500; total, 92,050. 
It is not necessary for me to elaborate the argument to show that a 
population thus composed has not the inherent tendencies and unity of 
force to hold them to American interests. It is doubtless true that 
more than one-half of the property of the country to-day is possessed by 
those of American birth or of American blood. But wealthy men of 
other nationalities are becoming numerous here, and the number of 
adventurers and of those of cosmopolitan ideas, caring little for any 
country, is always considerable in lands peopled as this now is, with 
commercial and political circumstances as they are. 

To thwart and hold in check the increasing influences here hostile 
to the United States some effective measures are absolutely necessary. 
In view of the facts as they existed for half a century a drifting policy 
was safe enough. Bapidly changing circumstances demand a prompt 
abandonment of the drifting policy of the past. Left to themselves, the 
prevailing logical force of things would ultimately drive out the best 
American elements and swamp these islands with adverse influences. 
To hold an assimilating control of the largely preponderating Asiatic 
and native Hawaiian population there must be maintained an Ameri- 
can policy, strong, conservative, but not costly, if adopted in time. 
The longer this is postponed the more difficult and expensive it will be 
in the end to secure the desired result. The laying of an ocean cable 
from San Francisco to Honolulu, with the aid of the United States 
Government, and the expenditure of a sufficient sum of money to make 
a fair commencement of the improvement of Pearl Harbor would be of 
immediate benefit to American commerce, would be a salutary notice 
to foreign powers of our intentions in these waters, and operate as a 
powerful incentive to retain and to increase an enterprising and influ- 
ential American population in these islands. 

As monarchy and feudalism, formally so strong here, have no longer 
any solid foundation, and government has become constitutional, and 
largely by the ballot, the moral pressure of the United States is abso- 
lutely necessary to enable the Americans and other intelligent citizens of 
the country to withstand the Asiatic and other influences adverse to 
Christian civilization, its laws, and agencies. Fairly governed and 
retained under auspicious American influences, these islands are capa- 
ble of supporting a population of 250,000, possessing financial resources 
ample to pay all the taxes necessary for the support of their institu- 
tions and the ordinary means of defense. The vital question, one that 
can not be possibly ignored or held in abeyance, is: Shall Asiatic or 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



51 



American civilization ultimately prevail here? The near future is to 
show conclusively that only the strong pressure and continual vigilance 
of the United States can enable American men and American ideas 
to hold ascendency here and make these islands as prosperous and 
valuable to American commerce and to American marine supremacy 
in the North Pacific as the isles of the Mediterranean have been and 
are to its adjacent nations. The data in possession of the department 
of the Navy, and doubtless well known to the Department of State, 
show how valuable Pearl Harbor easily can be made as a commercial 
marine and naval station, and the great and pressing importance of an 
ocean cable, under American control, is so plainly obvious as to require 
no elaborate argument for its clearer demonstration. 

The most careful study of the situation here leads me to urge a 
limited appropriation for Pearl harbor, financial aid to the ocean cable, 
and such modification of the existing treaty as shall increase the 
American population here and permanently strengthen the bonds 
between Hawaii and the United States. The sooner this is done the 
less difficult and expensive it will be in the end. It is certain that 
time and events will not wait for us, and that a drifting and waiting 
policy is now the most hazardous. 
I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 

From the Minister of Finance I have just received the inclosed 
report of the Collector of Customs, a single advance type-written copy, 
showing the increased commercial importance of these islands to the 
United States. 



Honolulu, H. I., March 13, 1800. 

His Excellency S. M. Damon, 

His Majesty's Minister of Finance : 

Sir: In conformity with the provisions of section 553 of the Civil Code, I have 
the honor to submit to your excellency the annual report of the business of this 
bureau for the year ended December 31, 1889. 

1 beg to call your excellency's attention to the reports with each table, which, 
I think, will give more information than in former years. Your attention in 
particular is called to tables numbers 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. 

The exports have increased from $4,875,694 in 1880 to $13,874,341 in 1889, and the 
imports from $3,673,268 in 1880 to $5,438,790 in 1889. 

The trade with the United States has increased 5.78 per cent during the past 
year, and is now 79.10 per cent of our entire imports. 

Our exports, virtually, all go to the United States. The exports of our principal 
product, sugar, has increased over the exports of previous years, as follows: 1889, 
242,165,825 pounds, against — 



Year. 9 


Quantity. 


Increase. \ Year. 


Quantity. 


Increase. 


1877 

1878 i 

1879 


' 

Pounds. 
25, 575, 965 
38,431,458 
49, 020, 972 
03, 584, 471 
93, 789, 483 
114, 177, 938 


| 

Pounds. 

216,589,879 ij 1883 

203,734, 377 1 1884 

193,144.863 j 1885 


Pounds. 
114, 107, 155 
142, 654, 923 
171. 350, 314 
216, 223, 615 
212. 763. 647 
235, 888, 346 


Pounds. 

128, 058, 680 
99, 510, 912 
70, 815, 521 
25, 942, 220 
29, 402,188 
6, 277, 489 


1880 

1881 

1882 


178.581,364 i 1886 

148,376,352 jj 1887 

127,987,897 1888 



An average increase of 119,035,144 pounds per year. 

Rice has fallen off from the output of 1888, 3,208,704 pounds ; a large amount of this 
shortage is due to the number of Japanese laborers having been. introduced. The 
true amount of rice produced in this Kingdom can never be ascertained from the 
records of this Bureau for the reason that this article is used to a greater or less 
extent by our own population. 



52 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Wool lias decreased to 241,925 pounds. The export of this article reached its high- 
est point in 1882 and its lowest in 1887. 

Bananas have increased in the number of hunches exported from 1876 to the \nas- 
ent year, when it reached 105,630 hunches. 

Tallow has decreased from the amount exported last year. 

Molasses has increased slightly. 

The manifested value of sugar for the past year was 5.45 cents per pound. 
It will he seen by reference to the table that the United States received practically 
all of our domestic products. 

Japan inij)orted 92 head of Hawaiian cattle. 

China did not import anything. In former years a large amount of betel leaves 
and tallow have been exported there. 

Our import trade with the various countries of the world has increased to a con- 
siderable extent. The aggregate of our imports for 1888 was $4,540,887, while for 
1889, $5,438,790, an increase of $897,903. Reviewing our trade Avith each country, 
we find that we imported from the United States 79.10 per cent, an increase of 5.78 
per cent over the previous year, or more particularly an increase of $976,108 from 
that country alone; from Great Britian 12.38 per cent, a falling off from the pre- 
vious year; from China and Japan 3.68 per cent, also a slight falling off; and from 
other countries a similar falling off. The relation which our imports from the 
United States of free by treaty and goods paying duty bear to each other is as 4 of 
the former to 1 of the latter. The class of goods which compose the duty -paying 
class are to a great extent of foreign origin, and American beer and wines. 

The United States received the bulk of our trade, both iu exports and imports; 
Great Britain received 3.45 per cent, and China and Japan 1.10 per cent. 

The trade of the United States with this Kingdom has increased 1.61 per cent over 
that of 1888. 

The total imports and exports have increased from $16,248,486 in 1888, to $19,313,- 
132 for the period just ended. 

The increase in the imports and exports carried by American vessels in 1868 was 
66.19 per cent, while in 1889 it carried 72.34 per cent. The percentage carried by 
vessels of other nations has decreased in each case. 

The imports of specie for the year just ended amounted to $1,146,925, and $1,207,- 
555 for the previous year, showing a slight falling off. 

The exports of gold increased from $23,935 for 1888, to $40,477 for 1889. 

The value of our foreign and domestic goods exported amounted to $13,874,341. 
The value of foreign goods exported amounted to $64,270, it being the smallest 
amount exported for ten years past. 

The value of our domestic exports has increased $2,178,635 over the previous year, 
and it represents a production of $172.62^ per capita for the entire population, basing 
the calculation on the census returns of 1884. 

The vessels engaged in carrying our domestic products were divided among prin- 
cipally four nationalities. American, guaged by the value, carried 80.22 per cent 
against 73.09 per cent in 1888; Hawaiian, 15.20 per cent against 21.72 per cent for 
the previous year, the falling off being occasioned by one of the regular steamers 
being laid up for repairs and an American vessel taking its place. 

The number of Hawaiian-regi tered vessels has decreased in number as well as in 
tonnage. This has been caused through the sale abroad of the bark Kalakaua and 
the brigantine Allie Howe, the breaking up in port of the bark Lilian and the brigan- 
tine Hazard, and the losing of the bark James A. King and the schooner Jennie 
Waller by being wrecked. 

The additions to the list were the steamers Hawaii and Akamai; the bark Andrew 
Welch and Fooling Suey, and the brigantine Geo. H. Douglass, and the sloop Keaolani, 
all vessels of the first class. 

We have in our merchant marine five vessels built of iron, three being steamers, 
and among the coasters one iron steamer. The number of men employed by all 
vessels, both merchantmen and coasters, is 850. in the capacity of sailors. 

The number and tonnage of vessels entered and cleared at all ports, Hawaiian 
Islands, remain about the same as in the previous year. The total number entered 
has increased, while the tonnage has decreased, showing that vessels of smaller 
tonnage have been employed. 

Vessels under the American flag had a total tonnage of 129,095, and in 1888, 
113,459; British, 19,139, and in 1888, 29,519 ; Hawaiian, 54,813, against 64,607; Ger- 
man, 4,197, against 5,820 for the previous year. 

There was an excess of departure of passengers and tourists of 53 during the 
year, as against 499, excess of departures in 1888; while there was an excess of 
arrivals of immigrants of 1,358, which indicates that there was a gain to the popu- 
lation of this Kingdom of 1,305. The Chinese population has decreased by 1,059 
persons; 32 Chinese females have arrived, and 43 have departed, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



53 



The consumption of spirits in this kingdom varies very little from that of 1888, 
save in the withdrawals of beer, which has increased from 40,000 gallons to 61,000 
gallons for the year just ended. The consumption of light wine remains about the 
same, European wines, which have been always of a high test, have been all along 
displaced by California wines ; but during the past year the experiment was tried of 
importing a quantity of a lower test, corresponding to its California rival. The 
result is a small increase in its consumption. 

There has been an Unexpected increase in the receipts for duties in some articles 
Avhieh showed a decrease in 1888, while others have unexpectedly fallen off, but the 
total amount shows a slight increase over the previous year. It largely exceeds 
our estimate for the biennial period, which was estimated at $500,000 per year. 

Marine railway. — I w r ould draw your excellency's attention to the increasing 
importance of the marine railway, and since the arrival of the warship Nipsic from 
Samoa was placed on the railway for extensive repairs many foreign vessels have 
taken advantage of it through the experience gained from that vessel. 

The number of coasters and merchantmen placed thereon during 1889 was 70, of 
which number 33 were steamers, the largest being 1,070 tons and the smallest 18 
tons; and the other 37 were sailing-vessels, the largest being 1,088 tons and the 
smallest 6 tons. The demands made upon the statistical department of this Bureau 
has largely increased during the past year, and is likely to increase with the increase 
of our commerce and as we become better known abroad. It is on account of these 
ever increasing demands, and increasing commerce that our report is later than 
usual. 

I have the honor to be^ sir, your excellency's most obedient servant, 

A. S. Cleghorx, 
Collector- General of Customs. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 22.] Department of State, 

Washington, April 7, 1890. 
Sir : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Nos. 4-19. 
_ I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 24.] Department of State, 

Washington, April 24, 1890. 
Sir : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 20 of the 20th 
ultimo, touching the commercial relations of Hawaii with the United 
States, A copy of your dispatch has been confidentially communicated 
to the Secretary of the Navy. 
I am, sir, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 24.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, May 20, 1890. 
Sir: The import and intent of the reciprocity treaty between the 
United States and the Hawaiian Islands are well understood by all 
Americans who have a patriotic regard for the future commercial 



54 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



growth and power of their country in the Pacific. The bearing which" 
the continuance of the terms and advantages of the present reciprocity 
treaty has on the political relations of the Hawaiian kingdom with the 
United States renders it proper for me to inform the Department of 
State of the present alarm caused here by the sugar provisions of the 
tariff bill reported by the Committee on Ways and Means of the Wash- 
ington House of Bepresentatives. The production of sugar is the 
principal business of these islands, as the figures of the nearly 
$14,000,000 "of exports to the United States in 1889 plainly show. 
Sugar is the chief source of the financial life — is the banking capital — 
on which the present and future prosperity of this country depends. 
To destroy this productive industry and chief source of wealth is to 
spread ruin and disaster throughout the islands. 

It is certain that the present treaty is the chief cause of the present 
large dimensions of sugar production, having already more than 
doubled the entire property of the islands. In the opinion of all well- 
informed persons here, to place sugar on the free list would be the vir- 
tual annulment of the reciprocity treaty and the destruction of the 
prosperity of the islands. Thus it is easy to understand why there is 
so deep an anxiety among the business men of Hawaii as to the pres- 
ent aspect of the sugar question in Congress. They clearly understand 
that it is a matter of life and death to the Hawaiian kingdom. To all 
sincere Americans here it is especially alarming, as they see plainly 
that the virtual destruction of the chief productive industry of the 
country is to weaken essentially its fraternal relations with the United 
States. It would have been better never to have had the treaty than 
now to annul its chief financial advantage and knock the main props 
from the business of the islands. I am sure that these fears are not 
exaggerated. The business men here have no more faith in the 
u bounty system" than have the business men of the United States. 

It certainly seems highly inopportune to abandon the protective 
principle as to sugar just at the time when in various sections of the 
United States extensive arrangements are being made to invest large 
sums of money to produce sugar from cane, beet, and sorghum. That 
the' sugar tariff has not already led to a large production of sugar in 
the United States is no conclusive reason why it will not in the future, 
now that greatly improved methods of producing sugar have recently 
come into use and capital is much more available for sugar-raising than 
formerly. There are strong reasons to believe that if sugar-raising can 
be protected in the future, say by a specific duty of 50 per cent on the 
raw product, it will increase on a large scale and become a very 
important interest in eight or ten States of the Union, and that at no 
distant day the United States and its dependencies and allies will pro- 
duce sugar sufficient to supply the increasing demands of the American 
people. Logically and practically there seems to be no stronger rea- 
sons for abandoning the protective principle as to sugar than as to any 
other agricultural interest or productive industry of the country. 
Believing the commercial and political relations of these islands to be 
of inestimable importance to the United States, duty impels me to 
state the grave injury and danger there are involved in the proposed 
annulment of the sugar tariff". I am sure I have not overestimated the 
. calamity it would bring to Hawaii, and I am clearly of the opinion 
that a 50 per cent specific duty on raw sugar would be well for the 
ultimate interests of the United States. 
I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



55 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 25.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, May 28, 1890. 

Sir: I improve the first mail opportunity to inform the Department 
of State that the Hawaiian Legislature assembled May 21 and was 
opened by the King with the customary formalities. Contrary to the 
hope of the best citizens of the islands, the reform party, through 
whose agency the present constitution was made and carried into 
effect, is found in minority. Two or three members-elected by the 
reformers, half-caste and native Hawaiians, have joined the opponents 
of the present order of things. The opponents of the ministry elected 
the speaker and other legislative officers by a small majority, and the 
committees appointed are similarly constituted, The resolutions thus 
far offered and the discussions had in their regard indicate a matured 
purpose of the majority to force out the present ministry and put in 
its place one hostile to the present constitution or that regards its 
requisitions of secondary importance. 

The situation is somewhat complicated by the fact that one of the 
ministers, the attorney- general, a Canadian by birth and sympathy, 
has deserted his colleagues and become a bitter partisan of the present 
legislative majority. !Nbt long since he made a visit of several months 
to Canada, spending, I think, a few days in Washington, and returned 
here since the Hawaiian election an earnest opponent of a new treaty 
with, the United States and an advocate of an ocean cable and a reci- 
procity treaty with the Canadian Dominion. It is strongly suspicioned 
here that he is now in the pay of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, if not 
an agent of Sir James McDonald, the Canadian premier. Recently, 
instead of following the advice of the three more respectable and 
responsible members of his cabinet and the united opinion of the 
supreme court as to cabinet power and responsibility, the King has 
adopted the opinion of this Attorney-General Ashford that a single 
cabinet member can neutralize and block the decision of the other 
three members. 

This course of the attorney- general and the diverse heterogeneous 
and irresponsible elements of which the majority in the Legislature is 
composed render the present political situation less favorable than 
could be wished. The aspect of the " sugar question v in Congress at 
Washington strengthens the opponents of the existing ministry and 
continues to depress and alarm the Americans here and those who hold 
that the United States is the best ally and the real hope of the Hawai- 
ian Kingdom. As soon as the present legislative majority agree upon 
a new cabinet there is no doubt that a probably successful effort will 
be made to carry a vote of u want of confidence" in the present minis- 
try, though some signs of discord begin to be manifest among the oppo- 
nents of the three best members of the cabinet. I inclose two copies 
of the King's speech well known to have been formulated by the three 
responsible ministers. 
I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



56 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



The King's speech at the opening of the Legislature Mag 21, A. I>. 1890. 

Nobles and Representatives: 

The meeting of the Legislature to-day affords me the opportunity to congratulate 
the nation upon the measure of prosperity enjoyed hy it during the period which 
has elapsed since the commencement of the last session. 

The friendly relations between this Kingdom and foreign nations continue to pro- 
mote the happiness and security of our subjects, and of all sojourners within our 
borders. 

During the biennial period just closed, the country has enjoyed a great degree of 
prosperity. Industry and enterprise have been well rewarded, and as will appear 
from the reports of the several departments of the Government, great progress has 
been made in the development of our material interests. 

It is a source of gratification that our credit is good, and that our financial affairs 
have been placed upon a sound basis. 

I sincerely trust that the laws which you shall enact for the welfare of the King- 
dom will foster and encourage the extension of public improvements in the full con- 
fidence that they will return to us rich rewards, and I recommend for your consid- 
eration, liberal expenditures for the development of the industries of the Kingdom, 
especially in the encouragement of railroads and other facilities for the transpor- 
tation of merchandise and of passengers. 

The authorities charged with guarding the health of the people have been vigi- 
lant, and have succeeded in a great measure in the suppression of our chief malady. 

The subject of education, so closely connected with the foundation of good gov- 
ernment, has received the earnest consideration of those appointed to forward its 
interests, and our progress in this important branch of human welfare has received 
the commendations of all nations, as expressed at the Paris Exposition, where our 
educational exhibit was rewarded with the highest order of prizes. 

In view of the probable completion of an interoceanic ship canal in the near 
future, and of the promised extension of lines of steam communication, it is of the 
highest importance that our harbors should be prepared to furnish accommodation 
to the great increase of commerce which will surely follow. 

Let us also hope that arrangements may be made during the present period, 
whereby an electric cable under the Pacific shall place us in instantaneous com- 
munication with the thoughts and feelings of the whole human race, and add largely 
to our commercial advantages. 

We shall deem it wise with your concurrence to pledge the credit of the Hawaiian 
Kingdom for such purposes and it can not be doubted that the material welfare of 
the nation will be thereby greatly enhanced. 

Nobles and representatives : Invoking the blessings of the Almighty upon your 
deliberations, I now declare the Legislature of the Kingdom open. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 26.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, June 9, 1890. 

Sir : I improve the first mail opportunity to forward two copies of 
the speech of Hon. L. A. Thurston, Minister of Interior, just delivered 
in the Hawaiian Legislature. It is a clear, strong statement of facts, as 
I had previously ascertained them by careful investigation, and these 
plainly indicate the actual political situation here, showing that in my 
former dispatches I had not been mistaken as to my general views of 
the condition of affairs. 

Mr. Thurston is a gentleman of marked ability, of tried integrity, 
and of real courage. He is a native of the islands, as were his father 
and mother, both of his grand parents being of sturdy Connecticut stock, 
having come here as missionaries nearly seventy years ago. He has 
been, from its beginning, a bold and earnest leader in the reform party, 
and has the entire confidence of the best men of the islands. He can 
always be relied on as a friend of the country of his ancestry. His speech 
has made so decided an impression that it is possible that the hetero- 
geneous majority of the opposition party in the Legislature may become 
a minority and not be able to force out the present ministry. 

I have, etc., John L. Stevens. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



57 



[Inelqsure.] 

[From the Honolulu Commercial Advertiser of June 7, 1890.] 

The Minister of the Interior : I am ready to speak to the question of privi- 
lege in regard to the reply of the attorney-general to the questions of Nobles Crabbe 
and Muller. The answer of the attorney-general amounted to a general charge 
against the cabinet of interfering with him in the discharge of his duties and of 
acting in a manner derogatory to the interests of the community, in maintaining last 
April an armed guard at the police station. The charges of the attorney- general 
resolve themselves into three, which I shall take up in turn. 

1. That the marshal maintained, during April last, an armed guard in the police 
station, with the approval of the majority of the cabinet, and against the approval 
of the attorney-general . 

2. That such action was unwise, unnecessary, and groundless. 

3. That if there was any reason to apprehend a disturbance the action taken was 
such as to precipitate the very disorders it was intended to prevent. 

Mr. President, I admit the first charge. 1 admit that the majority of the cabinet 
maintained a guard at the station house not only without the consent of the attor- 
ney-general, but that he did everything in his power to prevent it. The thing that 
he did not do was to go down and find out what was actually going on. I think that 
instead of censuring the marshal, he deserves the thanks of the community that in 
spite of the resistance of his superior officer he had the principle and the courage 
to take measures which, I think, prevented the recurrence of happenings similar 
to those of the 30th of July last. 

Having admitted the first charge, that the marshal defied his superior officer and 
the cabinet approved it and advised it, only a strong reason can exculpate the 
cabinet, and if I do not give sufficient reason for their action, I ask that they be 
condemned as they should be. 

Our defense is that at that time the majority of the cabinet had good reason to 
believe that Volney V. Ashford and Robert W. Wilcox were contemplating violence, 
and that the attorney-general, if not actually assisting, was conniving at it. Now I 
maintain that I have not got to furnish legal proof of this, such as would be needed 
to procure a conviction before a jury; but if I show that we had good reason to 
believe it we were justified in the action which we took. I don't propose to indulge 
in rhetoric or adjectives, but to make plain statement of facts and of the information 
which I received, and then let the gentlemen here draw their own conclusion. The 
reasons which actuated us involve a considerable amount of the secret history of 
this country during the last three years. I do not propose to state any facts which 
are not essential.- There are a large number which bear on the subject which I have 
stricken out, but I think that I have retained enough to convince the house. 

I will show first why we had cause to distrust R. W. Wilcox and to believe that 
he was intending to disturb the peace. 

As you all know, Mr. Wilcox was several years a ward of this country study- 
ing abroad, until his return in 1887. A fact not so generally known is that he organ- 
ized at that time a conspiracy to dethrone the King, overthrow the ministry, and 
proclaim a new constitution. One of those who assisted him in drawing up the 
constitution is now present in this house. They went so far as to actually have the 
constitution engrossed, and Wilcox, with others, went into the palace and demanded 
of the King that he abdicate and declare his sister Queen. They even had the form 
of abdication written out for him to sign. If it had not been tor the faith ful service 
of Robt. Parker, the matter which came to a head in July, 1889, might have come 
to a head in the early part of 1888. The tactics which W T ilcox pursued were almost 
identical with those which he employed in last July, except that he went into it so 
subtly that he managed to draw in a great many innocent persons, who did not 
understand it until they were so deep in that they could not withdraw. One of 
these became frightened and came and told us, and that is how we came to know 
about it. As soon as I learned about it, I sent for several of the prominent con- 
spirators, one after another, and charged them with it, and they confessed. I put 
their statements in writing and they signed them, and I have those statements to-day. 
The object was, straight and simple, to compel the King to abdicate. They had the 
abdication all written out and they tried to compel him to sign it. Within a day or 
two after the matter came to my knowledge, they all knew that I knew it. The 
wife of R. W. Wilcox came to me (as she said, at the request of her husband) and 
begged me with tears that they might be allowed to go away. She said they would 
go back to Italy and that would be the last of it. It may be said t at the cabinet 
ought to be condemned for not bringing it all out at that time, and so preventing 
the trouble of July 30. 

Perhaps we were right and perhaps we were wrong. The reason we did not was 
that the country had been disturbed, and we did not wish to again arouse alarm. 



58 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Nobody knew of the affair, and they promised to reform. Eobt. Wilcox came to me 
himself and admitted the whole affair; said that he had been wrong, that he saw his 
mistake, but had been desperate, living as he was on charity. That he was angry 
with the King for not giving him an office which he had expected and been promised. 
He said he would go back to Italy and take service in the Italian army where they 
were fighting in Arabia, and that perhaps he would obtain promotion there. It 
seemed to us best, after mature deliberation, not to prosecute, and so no arrests were 
made, no publicity was given to it. Wilcox was allowed to go aud he went. After 
this there were no disturbances, no rumors — everybody went about his business with 
the unconsciousness that everything was all right and that the country was secure. 

This state of things continued until Wilcox came back in 1889. He had scarcely 
arrived before we began to receive information that he was trying to bring about 
the same thing again. There is no need of my repeating the events of July last, as 
it has all been before the courts. Now, after all that had happened in 1888, after 
his exx)osure and failure, his repentence and promises, he came back and repeated 
his attempt, and to-day he has the blood of 7 poor Kanakas on his head. The results 
of his second attempt you all know. He was tried and acquitted. You know what 
has happened since. He made a triumphal tour through the country, not only 
expressing no regret and repentence for what he had done, but glorifying in it, 
representing himself as a patriot and saying that if he had a chance he would do 
the same thing again. So things went on until some time before the election. 
Then rumors again began to go around, and I received direct information that he 
was again discussing schemes of violence and that as a first step he intended to take 
the station house; that he had been discussing that with V. V. Ashford, and with 
his assistance was Revising plans as to how it might be accomplished. R. W. Wilcox 
stated to several of his friends the substance of his conversation with V. V. Ashford. 
Two of them gave me their statements in writing. They are persons Avho were 
politically opposed to me. It is unnecessary for me to state that one of them was 
Antone Rosa, since he has stated the same thing over his own signature in the 
public press. 

I went immediately to Mr. Rosa, upon hearing that he knew of the matter, and 
said : "You and I are not politically in accord, but we both know that there is noth- 
ing will so damage the country as a repetition of July 30. We can sink our political 
differences in the attempt to prevent anything of this kind. I shall certainly do all 
that 1 can, and I think it is your duty to do all you can to prevent anything of the 
kind." He said that he took the same view, and would do what he could to ferret 
out what was going on, and he did. I think Mr. Rosa deserves the thanks of this 
house and of the community for sinking his political differences and doing what 
he could to prevent what would have injured the country. 

Mr. Y. Y. Ashford soon heard of the rumors with regard to his conversation with 
Wilcox and sent for him and asked him if he had made any such statement. Mr. 
Wilcox said he had not. Mr. Ashford asked him if he would put that in writing, 
and Wilcox said he would. Mr. Ashford prepared a written statement which Robert 
Wilcox signed, and that statement is now in Mr. Y. Y. Ashford's possession. Then 
Wilcox went after Rosa for having told of it. Mr. Rosa said: " Didn't you tell me 
Avhat I say that you did." Wilcox replied : "Yes; but I told you in confidence, and 
not to tell anyone else." 

This put a quietus on Mr. Wilcox -for some time. After the election Mr. Wilcox 
felt jubilant. He said that he had made the party successful aud was entitled to 
the leadership of it, and would be made minister. Upon this some of the respectable 
members of his party began to grow restive, and expressed themselves in very 
decided language to the contrary. Then Mr. Wilcox told some of his friends that 
he was beginning to suspect the good faith of his haole associates, and that they 
would not help him to become minister and that he must look out for himself. He 
accordingly consulted with some of those who had been associated with him in July 
last, and asked them if they would be willing to help him again, if necessary. Some 
ofthemsaidyes, some were kanalua, and some said that they had had enough. Feelers 
were sent out and various persons were asked if they would assist in turning the 
Government out if matters came to a head. I have information from a gentleman in 
whom every member of this house has confidence, who was asked in front of the 
post-office by one of Wilcox's intimate friends if he would help take the station 
house; that they were going to have a meeting that night to discuss it. 

Several of my informants were then, and still are, members of the opposition 
party. One actively expressed himself during the election for the express purpose 
of getting the cabinet out of office. 

This brings the matter to the 17th of April, which the attorney-general considers 
the culminating iniquity of the cabinet. 

The second question which I shall consider is why the cabinet distrusted Y. Y. 
Ashford and believed that he was favorable to creating a disturbance. I will not 
go back to the 30th of July last, although there are a number of earlier instances 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



59 



which I might mention. Shortly after July 30 rumors and statements began to be 
circulated that V. V. Asliford, although he commanded the force against Wilcox, 
yet knew more than he ought to about that movement, and that his heart was not 
entirely in the action which he took that day. At first I did not take much stock 
in these rumors, for people talk as much here as they do anywhere; but as time 
passed on'I received intimations that there were facts at the bottom of these reports, 
and I thought that I ought to investigate. I did not consult C. W. Ashford. Blood 
is thicker than water. Although I will state that I had at that time implicit confi- 
dence in the attorney-general. As a result of my investigations I have statements 
in writing from friends of the Government, from eneuiies, and from neutrals, and I 
state unhesitatingly that V. V. Ashford knew of and counseled and advised the dis- 
turbance of last July : that he sent messengers to Wilcox saying that the King and 
r he cabinet were at loggerheads, and that now was the time to act. 

Matters were quiet after the 30th of July, so far as his action was concerned, excep- 
th at his conduct was characterized by the most violent denunciations of the cabit 
net, publicly and without stint, to such an extent that a member of the diplomatic 
corps came to a member of the cabinet, and although as he said he was acting 
beyond the scope of his official duty, warned them not to have confidence in a man 
talking as V. V. Ashford was. 

V. V. Ashford became a frequent contributor to opposition newspapers, declaim- 
ing against the Government in the bitterest terms, giving out false statements with 
regard to the cabinet, and stating that he got them from his brother, although I did 
not believe anything of the sort. As an illustration, one of the members of this 
house lately told me that at about that time Mr. Ashford told him that he was so 
anxious to have this ministry turned out that he would rather have the country go 
back to the old regime than see it go on with them in office, and would rather see 
the country reduced to ashes than have them remain. 

So matters continued, Mr. President, until two or three weeks before the elec- 
tion. That was a time of a good deal of uncertainty. Both parties were confident, 
and neither was sure. At that time V. Y. Ashford had a quarrel with his political 
friends. Although in a position, as commander of the volunteer forces, of high 
responsibility and trust under the Government, he had been an active political 
worker against the Government. Then he sent word to me and asked for a truce 
between himself and the Government, and asked that I make an appointment with 
him (which for reasons was not kept), a second, which also was not kept, and finally 
a third was made, which was kept in my office. In the presence of a mutual friend 
the interview was held, and he made this statement. He said that he wished to be 
perfectly frank: He said that he had worked against the Government, admitted 
that he had been writing for the Elele to a large extent, but was sick of his associ- 
ates, they were a mean lot generally and he wanted to be done with them. He 
offered either to retain his position as colonel and work secretly for us or to resign 
altogether aud take the stump openly. He made, however, one condition. He 
said. "My reason for opposition to you has been my belief that you and the other 
members of the cabinet were engaged in a conspiracy against my brother. But 
if you and the others will promise to stand by him in the next Legislature. I will do 
ali that I can for you. " 

I heard all that he had to say. and then replied what we wanted is votes. Votes are 
what counts, and that we should be glad of your assistance and vote and the A'otes 
that you control. As for promises, I have stood by you straight through and have 
done nothing for you that I ever agreed to do, and the only result has been that you 
have constantly villified me. I consider myself discharged of any obligations to 
you and will make no promises and no agreements with you. As far as the relatious 
of the cabinet to C. W. Ashford are concerned your course will have nothing to do 
with it. C. W. Ashford has stood by us so far as I know and we propose to stand 
by him, and if we go down we will go down together. 

Shortly after the election of the colonel came up. aud V. V. Ashford was elected. 
The election was certified up to the cabinet and it became our duty to decide whether 
to approve or reject it. and it was not until after consideration of all the facts that 
I have mentioned, that we came to the conclusion that it was our duty not to indorse 
the election, and that wo would be faithless to the interests of the communityfif we 
again allowed that man to go in as the head of the military. I don't say that we 
had evidence to warrant his arrest and trial. We did -not feel justified in taking 
that action, but we did feel justified in refusing to ratify his election, as Ave knew 
that he was a man in whom we could not confide in case of another 30th of July. 

We therefore did not recommend him to the King, and the matter was referred 
back to the officers again. Mr. V. V. Ashford asked for our reasons. We refused 
to give them orally, but said that if he would make application in writing we would 
state them in writing. He stated that he would apply in writing, but later he sent 
a letter to the minister of foreign affairs stating that he would make no written 
application, as it was contrary to military principles and ettiquette. 



60 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



The next step was his reelection by a majority of the officers. Before we took 
action on the reelection the attorney -general returned. 

This brings me to the third branch of my statement, viz, the reason why we have 
distrusted C. W. Ashford, and this brings me to one of the most painful experiences 
of my life, because C. W. Ashford has not only been my official companion for three 
years, but because ever since he came here, seven years ago, he has been my inti- 
mate friend, and in this world intimate friends are not many. I have worked with 
him, trusted him, have passed through trying periods with him, shoulder to shoul- 
der, have stood by him. When prominent members proposed to put him out of the 
cabinet last Legislature and go on with a new minister, I said no. if we go out we 
go out together. And I wish to say here that I believe, and know from previous 
experiences many years, that we have never had an attorney-general who has worked 
harder and more faithfully in the conduct of the business of his office than he has. 

The relations of the cabinet with the attorney-general continued most cordial 
up to the time of his departure for the United States. He has mentioned a point 
of difference of opinion with regard to the treaty. It did not interfere with our 
cordial relations and was solely a matter of discussion, and was adjusted by the 
cabinet. As evidence of this and against the published statements made by C. AY. 
Ashford, over his own signature, and before the finance committee I will read from 
the reply on October 4 last to the committee which waited on the cabinet concerning 
the treaty. 

This reply was constructed in the following manner: After full discussion of 
the whole topic, each member of the cabinet made a draft of a reply. Then sections 
were taken from each and embodied in the final draft, so that the three replies, 
including Mr. Ashford's, are there. The beginning shows that it is the reply of the 
whole cabinet, aud the title so states. The ministers take pleasure in informing 
you, etc. It is signed by the minister of foreign affairs because it was a matter 
of his department. I will read a passage, showing that there was no" difference of 
opinion at that time : 

" Animated as we are by the desire to strengthen and extend the commercial ties 
which have done so much for our national prosperity, and to secure the safety and 
perpetuation of our institutions by an alliance whereby we shall have the positive 
and efficacious guarantee of a strong friend against interference by itself or others 
with our perfect autonomy, independence, and sovereignty, we have instructed our 
representative at Washington to ascertain if the United States would be willing to ne- 
gotiate with us a convention whereby the following objects may be secured." ' * 

"The cabinet for more than a year has studied carefully many reasons for and 
against the points submitted for negotiation, and has taken counsel with others, 
both connected and unconnected with the Government, and has considered various 
propositions and suggestions, some of which have been approved and some disap- 
proved. 

" Any statements of objects or intentions, and any purported draft of a treaty stat- 
ing more or other than is above indicated which may have been published, are 
unfounded and incorrect. 

" The ministers are strongly and unanimously of the opinion that the accomplish- 
ment of the objects above indicated will tend to greatly increase the material pros- 
perity of the country, and perpetuate the independence of Hawaii and the sov- 
ereignty of His Majesty and his successors over all his dominions." 

Mr. Ashford left on November 16, 1889, with the utmost cordiality of feeling bet ween 
the cabinet. He left, as he stated, on account of his health, expecting to stay over 
one 6teamer. Two personal notes were all we had from him until his return on 
March 8, 1890. We had otherwise no direct communication with him, but saw 
numerous interviews in the papers in which he discussed all sorts of subjects, 
treaties, steamship and telegraph communication from Canada, all vital matters 
which should have been dealt with by one in his office only with the advice and 
consent of the cabinet. What he did in Canada we do not know. He gave us the 
barest outline of what he did. He did state that he had an interview with the 
Canadian prime minister, that he traveled as a guest of the Canadian Pacific Rail- 
road in a private car — [Attorney General, No]. Then some one else told me about 
the private car; and to this day we don't know what his objects were or what he 
did. The first question which came up after his return was the colonelcy. 

The attorney-general having returned just before the second election, when the 
question came up he immediately called upon the cabinet to reverse its decision on 
the matter, to nominate Mr. V. V. Ashford to the King, and to appoint him. It is 
unnecessary to say that the cabinet pursued no such stultifying course, but followed 
its previous decision. The attorney-general stated that he considered this action 
against his brother as simply an attack upon the Ashford family, and he was not 
going to stand it. The question had to be settled, and the attorney-general was 
requested to state whether he intended to carry his opposition so far as to advise the 
King not to confirm the nominee of the cabinet. Mr, Ashford refused to state 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Gl 



what he would advise the King. I said it is an anomalous thing, something unheard 
of in this or any other cabinet, to go to the King divided. He admitted it was 
anomalous and regretted it, hut said that he could not change his course on that 
account, but would take the matter into consideration. He considered for a few 
days and then stated that he declined to inform us what his course would be, as he did 
not choose to abridge any of his legal rights, and should reserve to himself the right to 
advise the King as he saw fit when the time came. We accordingly held a cabinet 
council with His Majesty, March 21, in which three members of the cabinet stated 
that they did not consider Mr. V. V. Ashford a fit' man for the place and recom- 
mended H. F. Hebbard. The attorney-general then advised His Majesty not to 
concur in this advice and not to appoint Hebbard, because, first, there was no 
reason why V. V. Ashford should not be appointed, and, second, on the technical 
ground that the period of incumbency of the present colonel had not expired. His 
Majesty stated that he wished to do what was proper, and asked each party for an 
opinion in writing, which was given. He answered in writing laying down the 
broad principle that he should take no action in any matter requiring by law the 
advice of the cabinet unless he chose, unless he had. the advise of the whole cabi- 
net. As this raised a vital principle, striking at the very roots of constitutional gov- 
ernment, it seemed proper to submit the matter to the supreme court, and we did so, 
after first submitting our statement of the case to the attorney-general, which he 
admitted contained a correct statement of the facts. The supreme court gave a 
decision upholding the position of the majority of the cabinet, that the majority 
should govern, as the majority of the legislature and of every other body governs. 
On April 10 we met His Majesty again. There were two subjects for discussion, first, 
the appointment of colonel, and, second, the commissioning of Mr. Carter to negotiate 
the treaty. The majority of the cabinet advised His Majesty to appoint Mr. Heb- 
bard, and presented him with the opinion of the supreme court, stating that it was 
his duty to follow the advise of the majority of the cabinet. The attorney- general 
then advised His Majesty as follows (the exact Words were taken down at the time) : 
" The opinion of the supreme court is not in the slightest degree binding and is of 
no more effect than that of any other three men of equal ability. I advise Your 
Majesty to decline to follow the advise of the majority of the cabinet and that of 
the supreme court." 

This brings us down to the time when an armed force was being maintained at the 
station house. 

Now as to the special charge that the guard was kept in such a manner as to excite 
disturbance. The attorney-general has in unmeasured terms denounced it, here 
and elsewhere, and has declared that it was in a high degree improper and unwise, 
and detrimental to the public good, for from five to eight men, citizens, to guard the 
police station, arms being in the station, available for volunteers and regular forces 
if necessary. This at a time when R. W. Wilcox was at liberty ; when, as he states 
in his reply, street rumors connected V. V. Ashford with disturbance; when the 
town was so disturbed that the heads of business houses were consulting as to what 
should be doue to protect life and property; and this, although his words in August 
last, when the country was roused, when Wilcox and his confederates were in jail, 
locked up in prison, were what I shall now quote. 

On the 28th of August, 1889, the attorney-general wrote the following letter to 
the marshal: 

" Department of Attorney- General, 

"Honolulu, H. I., August 28, 1889. 

'J. H. Soper, esq., marshal: 

"Sir: In regard to the protection of the arms and munitions of war now under 
your charge at the police station in this city, the subject has been discussed by the 
cabinet, whose ideas I here put upon paper, in the forni of instructions to you, in 
order that none of the misapprehensions to which verbal instructions are liable 
may in any way interfere with a full mutual understanding of the situation. 

"The cabinet regard it as of the highest importance that those munitions shall be 
vigilantly and effectively guarded, and that all other matters in your department, 
existing or reasonably to be apprehended, shall be made subordinate to the due 
protection of the police-station building, its inmates, and contents. 

" I understand you bave now in operation a system of guarding that building with 
six foreign policemen (two from each watch), in addition to those who are necessarily 
or incidentally on the premises as officers of the respective watches, turnkej-s, etc. 
This, in addition to D. H. Hitchcock, jr., whom I understand is still retained as 
special night watchman in your own office, will make a special guard of seven 
foreigners, which, if its members are intelligent and vigilant, should be sufficient, 
supported, as it ever is, by the prevailing facilities for defense and the opportunity 
to secure prompt reinforcements by telephone. 

" But in order to its highest effectiveness, such guard should be under the immedi- 
ate charge and command of some particular officer,, and a definite system should be 



62 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



observed as to the place and character of the vigils of the different members. In 
addition to this, there should be adopted a definite rule as to admissions to the 
building during the night, and such rule should and must be strioily enforced. 

The necessity in this latter direction is best illustrated by a recital of circum- 
stances actually witnessed during the present month, during the day as well as at 
times during the evening hours, I having been the witness as to some of them 
myself. Thus there are certain foreigners in town whose fidelity to the present con- 
ditions is at least questionable and their sympathy with the late insurrection at 
least suspected. In addition to these are some native and half- white members of 
the bar, whose hostility upon this point is hardly a matter of doubt. And yet it is 
no uncommon thing for the parties referred to, sometimes several at once, to enter 
the police building and walk unchallenged through any part of at least the ground 
floor thereof. For instance, they have been seen to go, as a matter of course, into 
the back recesses of your office, whence the route to the armory is through a door 
unsecured, as a general rule, by either lock or guard. The key to the armory, more- 
over, has very recently been accessible to any one from that recess. 

I recite these facts, not in a spirit of complaint, but as tending to show how easy 
it might be for half a dozen armed and determined men, gaining the advantage of 
such an entrance, either day or night, to spring upon and overpower, shoot down, or 
intimidate the unsuspecting officer in charge and thus capture the building. If it 
be thought that such an event is not probable, the answer is that our aim must be 
to guard against possible and not alone probable attacks. 

I have, Therefore, to request your careful attention to the following system of 
guarding that building, which may, of course, be supplemented by any details you 
may think necessary to add, viz : 

That the main door and all other means of access to said building, except the 
door to the receiving station, be closed and bolted (unless upon special occasions) 
not later than 8 o'clock in the eveniug, and I think an even earlier hour preferable. 
That the special guard shall always have among their own number a leader whose 
orders they will be obliged to obey, and who shall be responsible for the due execu- 
tion by the guard of their stipulated duties, and who, in the absence of the captain 
of the watch or other superior officer, shall have full command of the building and 
all the officers therein and thereabout. From the fact of his being on watch during 
the entire night and not changing with the different watches, I should suppose Mr. 
Hitchcock (if satisfactory in other respects) an eligible man for this position. 

The guard should be armed with clubs and pistols, and should have, each man, 
his rifle and filled cartridge belt conveniently at hand, elsewhere than m the receiv- 
ing station. At least one of the guard (I think two preferable) should be kept con- 
stantly on patrol in Merchant street between Xuuanu and Kaahumanu, to observe 
movements in the three streets named, as well as Bethel street. These patrolmen 
should be relieved, say, every two hours, by other members of the guard, and 
should be kept diligently on the move and observant of events. Half-hourly cir- 
cuits of the block in which the building stands should be made by one of such 
patrolmen, i. e., around to and along Queen street. The rest of the guard should 
be on the alert, so disposed throughout the building as to be able to rally on any 
point immediately upon call, and at least one of them should be in the receiving 
station all the time, whence the means of access to the yard and ground cells is very 
easy. 

The patrols will of course give the earliest possible notice of any persons or events 
in the locality out of the natural order, and thus the entire guard will be ever ready 
to meet any exigeucy or repel any attack. In this connection let me caution you 
that nothing short of a tragedy within plain sight, or orders from the marshal, 
should tempt any member of th»e guard away from the building or his beat. 

In case of an attack they should meet it upon the sidewalk, at the doors, or 
retreat within the building, secure the doors and defend the premises from the win- 
dows, as the force and direction of the attacking party might suggest to the one in 
command, and telephone at once to the marshal or his deputies. Seven resolute 
men, well armed, should be able to hold that building for hours against any force 
that could be brought against it from the front. 

I understand that the hours of special guard are now from 8 p. m. to 6 a. m. 
While I do not now think it necessary to extend these hours, yet captains of watches 
coming on duty at 6 p. in. and 6 a. in., respectively, should be especially instructed 
to give particular attention to the guarding of the building prior to the advent and 
after the departure of the special guard evening and morning. This, I think, dur- 
ing one hour of each of those watches, should take the form of a small detail of 
their foreign patrols for this service. 

Now as to the indiscriminate admission of all comers to the different offices of the 
building. This should be guarded ;>. gainst during the day by some practicable yet 
reasonable rule, that will at once permit the despatch of business and secure the 
privacy of portions of the premises. After office hours in the evening no one except 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



63 



members of the force, regular or special, or other officers of the Government, and 
attorneys and others upon legitimate business, to be stated to the officer in charge, 
should be admitted to the building. Let this principle be enforced. 

In particular I would call your attention to the oft-recurring absence of " all 
hands" from your own office during business hours, which of course leaves open 
opportunities such as should not exist for any venture such as herein discussed. I 
have frequently (and several times during the present month) tried in vain to ring 
up some occupant of your office. A trial of both telephones convinced me that no 
one was present. I need not assure you that this should not be, particularly at the 
present juncture, and I shall expect to see it remedied. 

Not wishing to handicap you by the enumeration of details to be observed in the 
carrying into effect of the foregoing instructions, I leave them chiefly for your own 
device and application. The main purpose, and in fact the only purpose, of my 
writing thus at length is to secure the ample protection to that building which its 
present importance demands. 

I repeat, that nothing herein is penned in a spirit of complaint but of caution and 
admonition only. 1 shall expect the main object of these instructions to be scrupu- 
lously observed and lived up to. I purpose to myself test the efficiency and vigi- 
lance of the guard in question from time to time, and recommend the same course to 
you. While I desire that they should have a general notice to this effect, for the 
purpose of keeping them on their mettle, I shall give no special notice of the hours 
of my visits. 

Yours faithfully, 

C. W. Ashford, 

Attorney-General. 

That was the opinion of the attorney-general in August last, when he thought that 
we ought to guard against possible, not merely probable, dauger; when he thought 
that it was necessary to have men armed to the teeth with clubs, pistols, rifles, and 
cartridge belts. Now, when we have a volunteer guard at night only, with no wea- 
pons on them, he complains and sees a threat and a menace to the community. 

The statement th .t there was unnecessary ostentation and display is without 
foundation. As a matter of fact, the guard was there two weeks before the public 
knew anything of it. 

At this time garbled accounts of what was being done by the cabinet appeared in 
both English and native, which could only have come from the attorney-general. 
Arguments which the attorney-general made in the cabinet, down even to the under- 
scoring, came out next day in the newspapers with those very points in italics. 
If anyone wauts to know what it is to be in hell without waiting for eternity, let 
him be in a divided cabinet, knowing that every word and act is being reported 
and misconstrued by a traitor, with the knowledge that a man is among you whom 
you can not trust and the possibility of another 30th of July hanging over your head. 

That was the situation. What was to be done? The attorney-general was giving 
demoralizing and revolutionary advice to the King. Never before has the King 
refused to follow the advice of the supreme court. That was the bulwark of the 
country, and the King never dreamed of refusing to follow their advice, until the 
attorney -general advised him to do so. I say the action of the attorney-general was 
revolutionary, and it has brought the King into a revolutionary position, which 
he has maintained ever since. The chairman of the foreign affairs committee has 
referred to my " brutal statements" to the King. Mr. President, I am no courtier; 
I never was and never shall be one ; I believe in speaking the truth, and I have 
done it. I have made no brutal statements to the King. 1 have treated him with 
perfect respect, but with perfect candor. When he was taking a course contrary to 
the law and the constitution, I did not tell him that he was doing right, but that he 
was taking a course that would bring disaster upon himself and upon the country. 

In this situation, with the history of Robert Wilcox before us, with the facts in 
regard to V. V. Ashford before us, with the attorney-general in open hostility to 
the cabinet, refusing to resign and saying that he would stay to paralyze all action, 
in this situation I say that even if there had been no truth in the report which 
came to us there would still have been ample ground for taking the precautions 
urged by the attorney-general in August last. The marshal came to me to consult. 
He had received information from a different source from mine of a similar charac- 
ter. He felt that he could not consistently with his duty to the community and to 
himself goto the attorney-general and tell him what he knew. After talking it 
over with the other members of the cabinet, the marshal stated that he could get 
volunteers, and stated who they were, men of the most respectable standing, clerks, 
bookkeepers, etc., as well as a few Government employes, who took steps, and the 
station house was guarded for several weeks before it was known at all. 

Now in regard to the night of the 17th of April, when the minister of the inte- 
rior " was there," the Gatling gun run out, and the 40 armed men on hand. 



64 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



A 1 a. m. I was rung up with the statement that a policeman had seen a body of 
armed men. I thought it sufficient to put us on our guard. I went down, found 
5 men on guard, and we telephoned for 3 or 4 more. No one else was there. The 
statement as to 40 men is entirely without foundation. We stayed till daybreak. 
The guns were not put out into the street ; there was no unnecessary exhibition of 
force; there was no guard sent out to the Rifle's armory, unless you consider one 
lame prisoner such a guard. One or two men patroled. I took the statement of the 
policemanin writing. He stated that there was a passer who could confirm it, and 
the next day he brought the man who stated that he had seen some armed men in 
that neighborhood. Whether there were any armed men there, you know as well as 
I. At anyrate there was the information, and I considered it was my duty to be on 
hand, and for the marshal to be on his guard. Suppose no precaution had been taken, 
and the station had been captured, then what? 

The fact is it was the duty of the attorney-general to inquire into the situation 
and guard the peace. He did nothing whatever, and the rest of the cabinet had to 
take the responsibility of guarding, not merely against " probable/' but "possible" 
dangers. 

As to the statement that these precautions were calculated to create a disturbance, 
this strikes me as one of the thinest, flimsiest and most ridiculous propositions 
that I ever heard. Precautions of this kind are the first thing to prevent a disturb- 
ance. Look at Berlin on the 1st of May, labor day ; it was a garrison. Look at 
London a few years ago at the Hyde Park riots, and citizens were sworn in as 
special police by the thousand. And yet it is claimed that the precautions taken 
here tended to excite a disturbance ; that the presence of a few men at the police 
station, probably playing cards when not on duty, must so tend to excite Mr Wil- 
cox's nerve centers as to lead him to shoulder a musket and try to capture the 
police station, just because there were a few men there who had a perfect right to 
be there. 

Mr. President, on this statement I am ready to leave it to the house whether the 
inaction of the attorney-general is to be commended, or the positive course of the 
majority of the remainder of the cabinet. Taking into consideration what hap- 
pened on the 30th of July, would we not have been responsibe for any loss of life 
or property, if we had neglected these precautions and a disturbance had occurred. 
I am willing to leave it to the house, but if every man votes against me, I would 
still, in a similar situation, when 1 thought the country was threatened with a pos- 
sibility of danger, act as I have, whether the attorney-general approved it or not. 
• Representative Bush moves to amend by referring to printing committee to have 
both replies printed in English and Hawaiian. 

Representative Brown seconded the amendment. 

The motion as amended was carried. 

House adjourned at 1:10 p. m. until Monday. 

Diplomatic reception — Brilliant entertainment at the United States legation. 

His excellency J. L. Stevens, United States minister resident, and Mrs. Stevens, 
held a reception at the legation, Nuuanu avenue, from 3 to 6 o'clock yesterday 
afternoon. It was an event both brilliant and pleasant. Flags almost covering 
the house showed their bright colurs to the street through intersti ces of the luxuriant 
foliage. Lovely boquets, clusters of gorgeous lilies, and other floral designs, with 
profuse traceries of vines, made the interior a delight to the eye, while filling the 
air with fragrance. An elegant collation was spread in the dining room, and no 
guest was permitted to depart without receiving an invitation to be refreshed. 

His excellency and amiable lady gave a cordial greeting to all. Mrs. Stevens was 
assisted in receiving and in dispensing the hospitalities of the legation by the Misses 
Stevens, Mrs. Severance and Miss Severance, Mrs. J. 0. Carter and the Misses Carter, 
Mrs. W. Foster, the Misses Winter, and Miss Waterhouse. 

The band of the United States flagship Charleston, sixteen pieces, under Band- 
master Carlo, played on the grounds alternately with, the Royal Hawaiian Band. 
The playing of the' naval band was very much admired. The programme of the 



concert was the following: 

Overture — Masaniello Auber. 

Chorus — Tanhauser Wagner. 

Gavotte — Festival Latann. 

Reminiscences of Verdi Godfrey. 

Fantasia — Recollections of the War Beyer. 

Waltz— 1,001 Nights ■ Strauss. 

Patrol — Guard Mount Eclenberg. 

Medley — Ye Olden Times Catlin. 



The Star Spangled Banner.. 
Hawaii Ponol, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



65 



Tlieir majesties and tlie heir apparent were among the callers. The King was 
attended by Mr. Jas. W. Robertson, vice- chamberlain, and His Majesty's staff. 
Mrs. Robertson was lady-in-waiting to the Queen. Hon. A. S. Cleghorn was 
present with Princess Liliuokalani. Visitors were coming and going during the 
tbree hours, the following being some of them : 

Their excellencies Jona. Austin, minister of foreign affairs and C. W. Ashford. 
attorney-general; Hon. C. R. Bishop, Hon. and Mrs. W. F. Allen, Hon. and Mrs. J, 
B. Atherton, Miss Atherton, Hon. and Mrs. W. G. Irwin and Mrs. Ivers, Hon. and 
Mrs. W. D. Alexander, Mrs. J. I. Dowsett and the Misses Dowsett; Major J. H. 
Wodehouse, British commissioner, Mrs. and Miss Wodehouse; Mr. G. C. B. d'An- 
glade, French commissioner; Mr. A. de Souza Canavarro, Portuguese commissioner, 
and Mrs. Canavarro ; Mr. Masalci, Japanese diplomatic agent, and members of his 
legation; Rear- Admiral Brown, U. S. N. ; Mr. H. W. Severance, United States consul- 
general. Mrs. and the Misses Severance; Mr. F. A. Schaefer, consul for Italy and 
dean of consular corps; Mr. H. W. Schmidt, Swedish consul, and Mrs. Schmidts- 
Mr. C. Afong, Chinese commercial agent, and Miss Afong; Mr. A. W. Richardson, 
United States vice-consul-general; Mr. T. R. Walker. British vice-consul; Capt. 
Remey and staff, U. S. flagship Charleston; Capt. Green and staff, U. S. S. Adams: 
Capt. McCurley and staff, U. S. S. Xipsic: Lieut. Dyer, Lieut. Blow, and Mr. Cole 
(of the admiral's staff); Lieut. Quart-rough, Fleet Surgeon Woods, Dr. Weiber, Fleet 
Paymaster Arthur Burtis, with Mrs. Burtis; Fleet Engineer Inch, and Mr. Hollis, 
with Mrs. Hollis, L T . S. flagship Charleston; Chief Engineer Webster, U. S. S.-Nvp&ic; 
Rt. Rev. the Bishop of Honolulu and Mrs. Willis, Rev. and Mrs. H. Bingham, Rev. 
and Mrs. S. E. Bishop, Rev. and Mrs. W. C. Merritt, Rev. and Mrs. A. Mackintosh 
and Miss Von Holt, Mrs. R. F. Bickerton, Mrs. W. Foster, Dr. and Mrs. A. B. Lyons. 
Dr. and Mrs. C. T. Rogers, Dr. Lindlev of Kentucky, Dr. and Mrs. J. S. McGrew. 
Dr. J. S. Emerson, Dr. Kimball. Col. V. V. Ashford"; Capt. Mist, R. Nv, and Miss 
Mist, Prof, and Mrs. M. M. Scott, Prof, and Mrs. G. Sauvlet. Maj. and Mrs. C. T. 
Gulick, Hon. Jas. Anderson, Mr. and M~s. J. O. Carter and the Misses Carter; Hon. 
and Mrs. B. F. Dunning, Misses Dunning and Clarke, Mrs. Helen Mather, New York; 
Mr. and Mrs. George Fritch, Mrs. Eugene B. Rail. Mr. and Mrs. Lavton, San Fran- 
cisco; Mrs. S. C. Allen, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Hall. Mrs. G. E. Boardman, Mrs. Robt. 
Lewers and Miss Lewers, Mr. and Mrs. T. F. Lansing, Mrs. W. W. Dimond, Mr. and 
Mrs. W. C. Wilder, Mr. G. K. Wilder. Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Dillingham, Mr. and Mrs. 
J. G. Spencer, Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Carter, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Jones. Mr. and Mrs. 
H. H. Renjes. Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Wichman, Mrs. S. B. Rose and Miss Rose, Misses 
Chamberlain. Waterhouse. Winter, Pavson, Atkinson, Brewer, and Snow; Messrs. 
H. Waterhouse, W. C. Parke, W. H. Baird, J. Dyer, T. M. Starkey, G. C. Potter, and 
Paul Harnill. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

^"o. 27.] Department of State, 

Washington, June 14, 1890. 

Sir : I have received your EFq. 25, of the 28th ultimo, apprising me 
of the unexpected change in the attitude of "two or three" of the 
new members of the Hawaiian Legislature, by which the opposition to 
the reform party gains strength enough to control that body; also of 
the fact that one member of the present ministry, of Canadian birth, 
is in declared agreement with the opposition party. 

Xoting your reference to the circumstance that the present " aspect 
of the sugar question" in our Congress "strengthens the opponents 
of the existing ministry and continues to depress and alarm the Amer- 
icans r in Hawaii, 
I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine, 

H. Ex, 48 5 



66 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 27.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, June 26, 1890. 

Sir : Corresponding to strong indications of which I have previously 
informed the Department of State, there has been made an entire 
change in the Hawaiian ministry. The attorney-general, 0. W. Ash- 
ford, a Canadian by birth, since his return here in April from a visit in 
Canada, where he is known to have been in intercourse with the lead- 
ing members of the Dominion ministry, had completely changed in his 
attitude towards his colleagues and in his views as to commercial rela- 
tions with the United States. He is believed to have strongly entered 
into the Canadian plans of connecting these islands with the Canadian 
Pacific Eailway by cable and steamer and commercial arrangements. 
He suddenly took ground against the reform party, with which he had 
been identified, and sought to sustain himself by uniting with the 
party he had before strongly opposed, and stimulating the reactionary 
tendencies among the less responsible portion of the citizens and resi- 
dents here. The other three ministers, finding it impossible to carry 
on the Government with him, tested their strength by a motion of want 
of confidence in Ashford. The vote in the Legislature was a tie— 24 to 
24. At once the three ministers offered their resignations, and this 
forced the resignation of Ashford. 

A new ministry has been formed, composed of two from each party. 
John A. Cummins, a half-caste and a large sugar planter, is the minis- 
ter of foreign affairs. Godfrey Brown, minister of finance, was born in 
England, leaving his native country at three years of age ; he lived 
years in ^ew York and California, and has recently spent a while in 
the city of Washington. C. N. Spencer, the minister of interior, is a 
native of New York State, but came to these islands in childhood. A. 
P. Peterson, the attorney-general, is a native of Massachusetts, and is 
regarded the ablest man of the new cabinet. As a whole, the ministry 
has less intellectual force and character than its predecessor. The 
reform party is in a measure satisfied, because it is better than it 
feared. The more numerous portion of the party of the King and of the 
native factions is dissatisfied because it has only two of the four minis- 
ters, and these not of the most pronounced type. It is less decidedly 
American than the three best of the retiring cabinet, yet it is reasonable 
to hope that it will favor strong friendly relations with the United 
States. 

I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 29.] Department of State, 

Washington, July 3, 1890. 
Sir : I have read with interest your No. 26, of the 9th instant, in 
which you transmit a copy of a speech delivered on the 6th June last, 
in the Hawaiian Legislative Assembly, by Hon. L. A. Thurston, min- 
ister of the interior, relative to the political situation in Hawaii. 
I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



67 



Mr. Adee to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 31.] Department of State, 

Washington, July 14, 1890. 
Sir : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 27, of the 26th 
ultimo, announcing- a recent change in the cabinet of His Majesty and 
communicating a sketch of its members. 
I am, sir, etc., 

Alvey A. Adee, 

Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 2.] Department of State, 

Washington, August 16, 1890. 
Sir: I inclose for your confidential information copy of a letter 
recently received from the Acting Secretary of the IS avy, transmitting 
one from the commander in chief of the United States naval force in 
the Pacific station, in regard to political affairs in the Hawaiian Islands. 
The letter in question seems to confirm the general tenor of your dis- 
patches on the same subject. 
I am, etc., 

William ¥. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 30.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, Atigust 19, 1890. 

Sir: I regret to be obliged to report to the Department of State 
that the political affairs of this island Kingdom have recently assumed 
a less assuring aspect. It is well known that the present constitution 
was gained by the people, especially by the property holders and business 
men, in 1887, much as the Magna Oharta of England was gained by 
the barons from King John in 1215. Kalakaua has always been rest- 
less under this constitution, to which he has solemnly sworn. The 
result of the elections last February encourages him to hope that the 
constitution might be so changed as to restore to him much of his 
former autocratic power. A movement has been put on foot to this 
end. A popular delegation, composed mainly of the less intelligent 
natives, led chiefly by unscrupulous demagogues, has formally marched 
to the palace and presented petitions in a revolutionary sense, asking 
the call of a constitutional convention. The King, without having 
consulted or received the sanction of his cabinet, has commended the 
objects of these petitions in a message to the Legislature. 

The constitution specifically provides how it may be amended, which 
is by voting proposed amendments by the Legislature, which amend- 
ments must be resubmitted and voted by another Legislature two years 



68 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



subsequently. The business men and tlie more responsible citizens of thtj 
islands are greatly disturbed. For good reasons they fear to have the 
country convulsed by such an issue. The English commissioner and 
the undersigned have been urged confidentially by the leading member 
of the cabinet and by the most conservative of the Legislature to 
counsel the King against the rash and dangerous step. My English 
colleague, who has been here twenty years, fully agrees with me as to 
what the situation demands of us. Yesterday, in a confidential inter- 
view, the commissioner and myself gave our opinions and advice to His 
Majesty. Of his bearing toward us we have no reason to complain. 
The two ablest of his four ministers are against changing the constitu- 
tion in the revolutionary way proposed, and it now looks as though the 
other two will decide to go with their colleagues. A careful count in 
the Legislature indicates that a small majority will vote to adhere to 
the constitution as it is, consenting to small amendments to be made 
in the way provided. There is some fear of a mob in surprise to force 
a revolutionary vote by intimidation, and there is little reliance placed 
on the native police in an emergency. The King professes that he is 
neutral in the controversy, and that he has only brought popular griev- 
ances to the attention of the Legislature. But the facts are conclu- 
sively against this pretension. ISone of the best citizens here have the 
least faith in these royal professions. He and a few corrupt parasites 
are at the center of the conspiracy, back of which is a big loan in Lon- 
don for their corrupt handling. 

Under the circumstances it is my duty to say that one United States 
ship of war should remain at Honolulu. The English commissioner 
thinks it highly necessary that one English ship should continue here 
constantly. All of the more responsible business men here are of like 
opinion. The presence of this force has a suggestive meaning to the 
disorderly element here. I shall continue to act cautiously but firmly, 
in the light of former precedents of the Department of State and of 
this legation, varied only by different facts and circumstances. 
Admiral Brown, who was here two months, who had former experience 
here, before he left on the Charleston a few days since was strongly of 
the opinion that one vessel, or more, of the United States Pacific naval 
force should be kept here, though when he left the aspect of affairs 
was apparently more auspicious than at present. The N'ipsic is here, 
and I understood from the Admiral that on the departure of tins vessel 
her place would be taken by the Iroquois or Mohican. I assume such 
to be the naval orders. 

I have the honor, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 

JSo. 4.] Department oe State, 

Washington, /September 10, 1890. 
Sin : I inclose copy of a letter of the Secretary of the Xavy and 
a copy of the report therewith on the serious political situation in 
Hawaii, which as confirmatory of your Xo. 30 of the 19th ultimo 
will doubtless be read with interest. 
I am, etc., 

William F. Wharton. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 2.1 United States Legation, 

Honolulu, September 17, 1890. 
Sir : My commission as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipo 
tentiary lias been duly received at this legation, and I have officially . 
communicated the fact to the Hawaiian Government, and the King- 
lias received me formally in said capacity as the following authorita- 
tive publication shows : 

BY AUTHORITY. 

Foreign office notice. 

Foreign Office, 
Honolulu, September S, 1S90. 

This day had audience of the King his excellency John L. Stevens, United States 
minister resident, to present his credentials as envoy extraordinary and minister 
plenipotentiary of the United States of America. 

His excellency Hon. John A. Cummins, His Majesty's minister of foreign affairs, 
presented to His Majesty the King his excellency John L. Stevens, who addressed 
His Majesty as follows : 

''Sir : In appointing me envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, placing 
the representative to His Majesty's Government on an equality with the American 
representatives to the great nations of the world, the Government of the United 
States once more manifests its strong friendship for the Hawaiian kingdom and its 
firm resolution to respect its autonomy and to promote its welfare. 

"His Majesty may be sure that it always will be my earnest effort faithfully to 
carry out the instructions of my Government. 

" In doing so I shall endeavor to show proper respect to His Majesty, and in any 
counsel or advice which I may give I shall seek the peace and prosperity of his 
kingdom. Thus I shall help to foster good relations between the two countries so 
closely united by near neighborhood and common interests." 

His Majesty was pleased to reply to His Excellency John L. Stevens as follows : 

"Mr. Uxvoy: It is with pleasure that I receive from you the assurance of the 
continuance of the friendly regard of the President and the people of the American 
nation for the sovereign and people of Hawaii. 

"And I am well pleased to receive as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipo- 
tentiary of the United States a gentleman who has already in the capacity of min- 
ister resident given so many proofs of the good-will and kindly feelings entertained 
by him towards my kingdom, myself and my people. 

"And I fully appreciate the honor done to my croAvn and kingdom by the action 
of the President of the United States in placing the representative of the* United 
States in my kingdom on an equality with the American representatives to the 
great nations of the world, and the expression thereby of his firm resolution to 
respect our autonomy and to promote our welfare. 

"The officers of my government will be instructed to tender to you every atten- 
tion and courtesy during your official residence in my dominions. 

His majesty was attended on this occasion by the Hon. John O. 
Dominis, Hon. A. S. Cleghorn, his honor the Chief Justice A. F. Judd, 
Hon. John S. Walker, president of the Legislature; his excellency, 
Hon. J. A. Cummins, minister foreign affairs; colonel, the Hon. G. W. 
McFarlane, his majesty's chamberlain; J. W. Robertson, esq., his 
majesty's vice chamberlain; Maj. John D. Holt, jr., A. D. C; captain, 
the Hon. Edward K. Lilikalani, equerrv in waiting. 
I have the honor, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



70 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr Blaine, 

[Confidential.] 

No. 3.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, September 25, 1890. 

Sie : In my dispatch 27 of August 15, 1 gave an account of the politi- 
cal status of tilings here touching a constitutional convention and the 
advice of the English commissioner and myself privately given to the 
King. Since the date of that dispatch the situation has gradually 
improved. The counsel we gave His Majesty appears to have oper- 
ated even more favorably than we expected. By the intent or want of 
restraint of the King the fact that we had advised him against the 
revolutionary scheme of the convention became known to the public, 
as we presumed it probably would. The effect of this has been to 
unify and strengthen the efforts of the best citizens who are opposed 
to the convention, and to lessen the numbers and influence of its sup- 
porters. The King is not of those who stick to a losing cause. 

Seeing the increasing strength of the opponents of the convention in 
the legislature, and among the chief property holders and responsible 
citizens, he is more ready to appreciate our advice. We have it from 
good sources that the King is now opposed to the convention, and pres- 
ent appearances are that the convention scheme will be defeated in the 
Legislature by a decisive vote. The committee having the matter in 
hand, originally supposed to be in favor of the convention, have just 
made a majority report against it by a vote of two-thirds of its mem- 
bers. It is agreed that the question shall be taken up by the Legisla- 
ture September 29. There are threats of attempts to constrain the Leg- 
islature by intimidation a ad violence. But at present writing it looks 
like a pacific solution by the legislative approval of some constitutional 
amendments in the manner prescribed by the constitution as it is. 

By the next mail following this I hope to be able to announce the 
decision of the Legislature and the final adjournment of that body. 
I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 8.] Department of State, 

Washington, October 15, 1890. 
Sir : I have received your No. 3 of the 25th ultimo, informing me 
that the majority report of the committee on the bill in the Hawaiian 
Legislature to convene delegates to frame a new constitution is opposed 
to such a convention, and stating, also, that His Majesty is believed to 
be now opposed to such a convention. 
I am, sir, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



71 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 7.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, October 22, 1890. 
Sir: Though it may be somewhat outside of the conventional rules 
of my office, a due regard for the interests of the United States Gov- 
ernment seems to require that I should make a brief statement in 
respect to a coal depot in Honolulu. Admiral Brown has called my 
attention to the subject and asked me to express my views thereon to 
the Department of State. Previous^ to the admiral's arrival here 
circumstances had led me to the conclusion which I shall here indicate. 
I need not repeat the well-known truths as to the necessity of good 
stopping places and coaling stations for vessels of commerce and ves- 
sels of war. Napoleon's adage that armies march on their bellies has 
an equally strong application to the agents and servants that win com- 
mercial and naval victories on the seas. It goes without saying that 
the Hawaiian Islands have a commanding position in the North Pacific. 
The Government of the United States has long recognized this fact. 
If it is well to have a coaling station at the Sainoan group, how much 
more important it is to have one at Honolulu. To one familiar with 
the facts it is plain that the supply of its naval vessels here should not 
depend on private parties and local dealers. The price of coal greatly 
varies at these islands, owing, to the distance from the sources of sup- 
ply and the irregularities and varying contingencies of the demand. 
At one time the wholesale price is nearly double what it is at another. 
If our Government can have proper and convenient landing and build- 
ing for its coal, filled from our mines at home or by cargoes purchased 
here at the lowest market rates, I am confident that a large saving can 
be made in the cost of coal supplies to our naval vessels, which thus 
would not be subjected to undue exactions of the local dealers and to 
uncertain contingencies. I am clearly of the opinion that the views of 
Admiral Brown on the subject are based on substantial facts, and are 
those which business men would carry out in their private affairs. The 
owners of the land of whom he speaks are personally known to me as 
reliable and responsible men, and I think their terms for the first 
twenty-five years of lease are reasonable, and that it would be well to 
secure the option of a subsequent lease unless our Government should 
decide to make an absolute purchase at the present time, which I would 
regard preferable. 
I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr, Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 9.] Department of State, 

Washington, November 12, 1690. 
Sir: I have received your No. 7 of the 22d October last, favoring 
the establishment of a coal depot at Honolulu, for the use of our naval 
force. 

A copy has been sent to the Secretary of the Navy. 
I am, sir, etc., 

James G. Blaine, 



72 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 8.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, November 14, 1890. 

Sir: After a session of 14G days the Hawaiian Legislature adjourned 
finally to-day. The general course of its proceedings has been more 
deliberate and conservative than it was generally anticipated by the most 
thoughtful citizens. 

As my previous dispatches have indicated, the first months of the 
session were somewhat stormy and there was considerable public excite- 
ment, mainly growing out of the attempt to change the constitution 
in a revolutionary way and in a reactionary direction. The defeat of this 
movement was so complete and decisive that the malcontents grad- 
ually lost a large degree of their influence and gave up their efforts 
as hope! ess, at least for the present. Some amendments to the consti- 
stitution have been voted nearly unanimously, while the constitutional 
convention scheme was rejected by a large majority. But the amend- 
, ments thus passed through their first stage do not restore to the King any 
of the power taken from him by the constitution of 1887, and the 
functions of the Legislature and of the ministry are not at all impaired. 
This result has been largely owing to the good conduct and superior 
ability of the reform members, who, with a majority of two or three 
against them at the beginning of the session, were enabled largely to 
control the Legislature. In this they had the cooperation of some of 
the most conservative of the opposition party. A careful review of 
what has transpired confirms the opinion that the earnest advice 
which the English commissioner and myself gave His Majesty was ' 
expedient and salutory. 

In this connection I may be allowed to remark that the sudden 
return here by Admiral Brown in the Charleston from Puget Sound, 
about which more or less comments were made by the Pacific Coast 
press, was not at my solicitation, but was entirely unexpected by me, 
my request having been only for the retention of one United States 
" ship here. But it is just to say, that it is the judgment of the best 
informed and most responsible men here that the coming into the har- 
bor of that powerful ship of war, the circumstances being as they were, 
had a very pacifying effect on the disorderly elements here. The aver- 
age native mind and the more irresponsible of the foreign population 
looked upon it as a plain determination of the United States Govern- 
ment. not to tolerate disorder on these islands. 

After the decision of the question of the constitutional convention 
the most exciting and important issue before the Legislature has been 
that of " labor." The sugar and rice farmers have a pressing need for 
seven or eight thousand more laborers than are attainable in the 
islands. The Japanese and Chinese are regarded the most avail- 
able, and a majority of the planters prefer the latter. Yet there is 
among all classes a strong aversion to receiving into the country more 
Asiatics. The Legislature has passed, finally, with general unanimity, 
a very stringent bill, allowing the admission of more Chinese under a 
specific contract, with adequate bonds that they shall engage in no 
other employment than on the sugar and rice plantations, and that at 
the close of their terms of engagement they shall return to China. 
This measure does not apply in any of its provisions to persons now in 
the islands. 

The amount of appropriations voted are large, considering the popu- 
lation of the country. The total amount for the two years covered is 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



73 



$4,774,171. Of this sum $200,000 is for the improvement of Honolulu 
harbor and its entrance; $68,000 for the new wharves and sea wall at 
Honolulu $ $275,500 for additional water supply and the improvement 
of the works; $244,500 for the care of the lepers; and $270,000 for edu- 
cational purposes and school buildings. The liberal annual subsidy 
of $24,000 for the San Francisco steamers is continued, and subsidies 
to the amount of $15,000 have been voted for a monthly steamer to 
Tahiti, and an equal sum for a monthly steamer to Southern California. 
Liberal appropriations have been made for roads and bridges, thus 
continuing the wise and highly necessary policy greatly enlarged and 
stimulated by the reform party when it came into power in 1887. A 
resolution has been passed, nearly unanimously, requesting the minis- 
try to open negotiations with the Government of the United States for 
the purpose of enlarging the free list of the two countries under Beci- 
procity. 

While some bills have been passed which are not creditable in their 
character, in the main the doings of this Legislature have been such as 
to receive the approval of the best public opinion. 
I have, &c, 

John L. Stevens. 

N. B. — Allow me to express the earnest hope that no part of my dis- 
patches relating to any feature or fact of Hawaiian politics be allowed 
to go into the published volumes of the Department of State. 

The official copy not having yet been received at this legation, I 
inclose newspaper copy of the resolution passed yesterday relative to 
Eeciprocity. 

J. L. S. 



Whereas, repent tariff legislation by the United States has, to a great extent, 
diminished the value to Hawaii of the existing treaty of reciprocity with that 
country, aud 

Whereas, the history of the relations of the two countries has been such that 
Hawaii can with confidence ever depend upon the integrity, good faith, and gener- 
ous friendship of the United States of America, 

Now, therefore, he it resolved that it is the sense of the nobles and representa- 
tives of this Kingdom in the Legislature assembled that the Hawaiian Government 
should, while guarding most zealously the freedom, autonomy, and independent 
sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hawaii, enter into negotiations with the United 
States Government for a treaty revision looking toward the extension of the princi- 
ple of reciprocity between the two countries to other articles which may be the 
product or manufacture of the two countries with a view to the continuance and 
increase of the mutual benefits which have heretofore accrued to both countries 
under the existing reciprocity treaty. 



Mr. Stevens' to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 9.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu j November 20, 1890. 
Sir: His Majesty, King Kalakaua, with consent of his cabinet and 
friends, will probably take passage on board the U. S. ship Charleston, 
Admiral Brown in command, Tuesday, February 25, for San Fran- 
cisco. He makes this visit to the Pacific coast for the benefit of his 
health, at this time not very good. I understand he would be pleased 
to have official recognition on his arrival at San Francisco, but there- 



74 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



after would wish to travel incog., or in a private manner. It is not 
now supposed that he will go east of the mountains, unless on his 
arrival at San Francisco he should receive advices from Minister 
Carter to the import that it is an opportune time to enter on new 
negotiations at Washington relative to Reciprocity. The belief pre- 
vails here among the best informed that the fitting time for this will 
not be before late in the winter or in the spring. 

If deemed necessary and proper, a telegram can be sent from Wash- 
ington directing that the usual salutes be fired on the arrival of the 
King in the Charleston. It is thought that the passage from Honolulu 
to San Francisco will take from twelve to fourteen days. The King 
will be accompanied by his chamberlain, Col. George W. McFarland. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 11.] -Department of State, 

Washington. December 5, 1890. 

Sir: I have received your No. 9 of the 20th ultimo, relative to the 
departure of His Majesty, the King of Hawaii, for' San Francisco. 

Stating that every proper courtesy will be shown to His Majesty on 
his arrival, 

I am, sir, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 16.] 

United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 5, 1891. 
Sir : Eight days prior to its reception at this legation the Depart- 
ment of State had received the sad intelligence of the death of His 
Majesty, King Kalakaua, in San Francisco, and of the attending cir- 
cumstances. The Charleston, Admiral George Brown in command, 
arrived here on the morning of the 29th with his remains, causing a 
deep impression among the native and foreign population. In the 
afternoon of the same day, commencing at precisely 5 o'clock, the body 
was taken from the Charleston and transferred to the royal palace, the 
hearse being followed by the Hawaiian ministers, members of the 
diplomatic corps, American and English naval officers, escorted by a 
body of marines and sailors from the Charleston, the Mohican, and the 
English naval vessel, the Xymph, and an immense concourse of citizens. 
This display of honor was admirably conducted, largely under the 
direction of Admiral Brown, the chief portion of the military escort 
being American. 

By a note from the minister of foreign affairs, the evening of the 
29th, I was officially informed that the remains of the King would lie 
in state from 11 a. m. to 11 :15 of the 30th, for the observation of the 
diplomatic corps, and in company with Mrs. Stevens I improved the 
opportunity in an appropriate manner. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



75 



In the afternoon of January 29th, prior to the removal of the royal 
remains from the Charleston, the new sovereign was proclaimed, of 
which fact I was duly informed by the following communication: 

Foreign Office, 
Honolulu, January 29, 1891. 
Shi: I have the honor to inform your excellency that on this day Her Royal 
Highness, Princess Lilitiokalani, Regent, was publically proclaimed as successor to 
His late Majesty, Kalakaua, deceased, as Queen of the Hawaiian Islands, in accord- 
ance with the twenty-second article of the constitution, under the style and title 
of 'Liliuokalani. 

I have the honor to he, with the highest respect and esteem, 
Your excellency's most obedient humble servant, 

John A. Cummins, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

John L. Stevens, 

United States Envoy Extraordinary 

and Minister Plenipotentiary , Honolulu. 

The remains of the deceased King will remain in state at the royal 
palace until the 15th instant, when the final funereal obsequies will 
take place. The present ministers perhaps will continue in office until 
the meeting of the legislature in 1892, the Queen not having the power 
to change them without the previous action of that body. This sudden 
and unexpected change of sovereigns has been made without commo- 
tion and with no extraordinary excitement. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

So. 18.] 

United States Legation, 

Honolulu, Februrary 9, 1891. 

Sir: Herewith inclosed I transmit to the Department of State a 
copy of resolutions adopted at a public meeting of a large number of 
influential native-born citizens of the Hawaiian Islands, relative to the 
death, and its attending circumstances, of the late King Kalakaua. 
I also inclose a copy of my remarks addressed to the committee who 
called at this legation and placed the said resolutions in my hands. 

I forward likewise a copy of resolutions adopted at a less numerous 
assemblage of native Hawaiian citizens, among whom I may name 
John E. Bush, formerly a Hawaiian minister, now editor of a native 
newspaper, and a present member of the legislature, a half caste, E. W. 
Wilcox, leader of the revolutionary attempt of July, 1889, and others 
of similar political sympathies. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



[In closure 1 in No. 18.] 
RESOLUTIONS. 

Whereas tlie unbounded courtesy and kind attentions extended to his late Majesty, 
King Kalakaua, in his recent visit to California by the United States Government, 
the State of California, the city of San Francisco, as well as citizens and residents 
in San Francisco, and by Hear- Admiral George Brown and the officers and men of 
the United States Flagship Charleston have placed the Hawaiian nation under a 
deep debt of gratitude to the United States and to citizens of said country, and to 
said Rear- Admiral Browu, his officers, and men: Therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Hawaiian people recognize, with the deepest gratitude, the 
great courtesy of the United States Government, and of officials and citizens of the 



76 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



State of California, in the courtesies extended to Ms late Majesty, the King, upon 
the occasion af his recent visit to California, where he met his most untimely death ; 
and he it further 

Resolved, That we recognize a like deht of gratitude to Rear-Admiral Brown, of 
the American Flagship Charleston, and to his officers and men, in their more than 
courteous treatment and care of his late Majesty, King Kalakaua, hoth in going to 
California and in their tender care and attention during his illness aud in return- 
ing his remains to our midst; and he it further 

Resolved, That an engrossed copy hereof he presented to his excellency John L. 
►Stevens, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States in 
Honolulu, for transmission to Washington ; that a like copy he sent to the governor 
of California; another to the mayor of the city of San Francisco, and another he pre- 
sented to Rear-Admiral Brown, on hehalf of his late Majesty's grateful subjects and 
friends. 

Honolulu, H. I., 5th February, A. I). 1891. 

Pajjl P. Komoa, 
W. L. Holokohili, 
S. K. Kane, 
J. Kalua Kabookano, 
John Lot Kaulakou, 
John F. Colburx, 
Park P. Robinsox, 
Samuel Parker, 
Wm, G. Irwin, 

E. C. Macfarlane, 
Wm. R. Castle, 
Alex. YounCt, 
CO. Bergery, 
Paul R.. Isexberg, 

F. M, Swaxzy. 
JohnW. Kalva. 
A. Rosa, 

Committee. 

[In closure 2 in Xo. 18.] 
Remarls of Minister Stevens. 

Gentlemen: It is with no ordinary emotions that I meet you under the afflictive 
circumstances which call you to this legation. I recognize in your committee the 
honored representatives of a large and influential portion of the native citizens of 
Hawaii, all equally interested in the welfare of their country As the American 
minister at this capital I receive the resolutions which you place in my hands as tin- 
expression of the warm and sincere feelings cherished hy the citizens of Hawaii for 
the citizens and Government of the United States. The manner in which these sen- 
timents are called forth, and the attending circumstances of your late Sovereign s 
death, can not fail to strengthen permanently the fraternal and friendly relations 
between this island Kingdom and the American nation, which are united hy the 
triple honds of moral sympathy, of near neighhorhood. and of common interests. 

It will he my duty as well as my pleasure to transmit copies of your resolu- 
tions to the President of the Fnited States, to the governor of California, and to 
the mayor of San Francisco. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 19.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 16, 1891. 
Sir : The Chamber of Commerce of Honolulu, an important com- 
mercial body, wishing to express thanks to the United States Govern- 
ment and to the people of California for the honors and kindness shown 
to the late King Kalakaua in his visit, illness, and death, has adopted 
resolutions, an engrossed copy of Avhich is here inclosed, which is for- 
warded to the Department of State agreeably to request. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



77 



[Inclosure in No. 19.] 
Resolutions unanimously passed by the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce. 

Whereas the Hawaiian nation is under the highest obligation to the United States 
Government, to the State of California, to the corporation of San Francisco, and to 
the citizens of said State and city, for their truly royal welcome and entertainment 
of His Majesty King Kalakaua, and for the distinguished feelings of friendship and 
esteem exhibited toward him and the Hawaiian people in their tender and sympa- 
thetic care of the King during his recent illness, and in the funeral obsequies held 
in San Francisco, and in returning His Majesty's remains to its home; and 

Whereas a like obligation has been incurred to Rear- Admiral George Brown and 
his staff, and to the officers and crew of the U. S. S. Charleston for their unfailing- 
care and attention to the King in his recent visit to California, and in the return 
of his remains to Hawaii : Therefore be it 

Resolved, That the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce joins with all others in this 
country in expressions of the most cordial thanks to the United States Government, 
to theState of California, to the corporation of San Francisco, and to the citizens 
of said State and city for their courteous attentions to His Majesty the King during 
his recent visit and for the like respectful and tender care of the dead King's 
remains, and 

Resolved, That we likewise tender to Real-Admiral George Brown and his staff and 
to the officers and crew of the U. S. S. Charleston the heartfelt thanks of this asso- 
ciation for the courteous attentions paid to His Majesty during his visit to the 
Pacific coast and in the honorable attentions paid to his remains upon their return 
to the land of his birth. 

Resolved, That an engrossed cojyj of the above preamble and resolutions be for- 
warded to the Secretary of State of the United States, to the governor of the State 
of California, to the mayor of the city of San Francisco, to Rear-Admiral George 
Brown and Captain Remy, commanding U. S. S. Charleston. 

Resolved, That the above preamble and resolutions be spread upon the records of 
this Chamber of Commerce and that the same be published in the newspapers of this 
place. 

F. A. Schaefer, Vice-President. 
I. B. Athertw, Secretary. 

Honolulu, February 4, 1801. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 20.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 22, 1891.' 

Sir: The funeral services, with the customary honors, of King 
Kalakaua, took place February 15, a full account of which being con- 
tained in the printed slips which I forwarded with a previous dispatch. 
In the two weeks while the royal remains were lying' in state in the 
palace, there was a good deal of friction between the dowager Queen, 
Kapiolani, and the reigning Queen. Almost from the day of the arrival 
of tli e news, by the Charleston, of the death of Kalakaua, there has been 
a deep interest here as to what may be the course of the new sovereign 
as to the cabinet and the persons who may have her confidence. 
Unfortunately, from the first hour of her accession she has been sur- 
rounded by some of the worst elements in the country, persons of native 
and foreign birth. The present ministry has been but a few months 
in office, and the best men of the islands, including nearly all the prin- 
cipal business men, wish the present ministry to remain, who, by the 
present constitution, are chiefly independent of the Crown and can not 
be removed except by impeachment, or by the vote of the Legislature. 

Under her extreme notions of sovereign authority and the influence 
of her bad advisers, the Queen is trying to force the resignation of the 
ministers and to get a cabinet composed of her tools. So far the min- 



78 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



isters have refused to resign and the best public opinion increases in 
their support. Should the supreme court sustain the right of the min- 
isters, which is very clearly and strongly intrenched in the constitu- 
tion, the ministers will be supported by such a united determination of 
the business men and other better citizens of the islands as will force 
the Queen to yield ; if she should still persist and attempt to form a 
ministry of her own, without the consent of the Legislature, she will 
surely imperil her throne. She is well known to be much more stubborn 
in character than her brother, the late King, but my present belief is 
that she will finally yield to the legal and other legitimate forces opera- 
tive againt her present course, and place herself in the hands of the 
conservative and respectable men of the country as the only way to 
retaiij Jier throne. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



[Inclosure in !S"o. 20.] 
FOREIGN OFFICE NOTICE. 

Foreign Office, Honolulu, February 16, 1891. 

This day had audience of the m Queen : His excellency John L. Stevens, United 
States envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary. 

His excellency Hon. John A. Cummins, Her Majesty's minister of foreign affairs, 
presented to Her Majesty his excellency John L. Stevens, who addressed Her 
Majesty in the following words: 

"Madam: It is my official duty to otter to Your Majesty congratulations on your 
accession to the throne in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of 
your Kingdom. Turning from the funeral scenes through which we have just passed, 
I address Your Majesty words of hope as to the future of your reign. Standing on 
the border land of death and the future world, of which we have been so solemnly 
reminded by what has just transpired within our midst, and reverent toward the 
Supreme God, to whom all are accountable, the minister of the United States 
expresses his earnest gratification that Your Majesty has taken the firm resolution 
to aid in making your reign a strictly constitutional reign; to maintain the consti- 
tutional right of your ministers to administer the laws, and always to acknowledge 
their responsibility to the Legislature in the performance of theirjsworn obligations. 
In the wish thus to respect the supreme authority of the constitution and the laws 
Your Majesty places yourself in the exalted rank of the best sovereigns of the world, 
and thus will avoid those embarrassments and perplexities which have so often dis- 
turbed the peace and crippled the prosperity of countries not blessed with free and 
enlightened constitutions. It is my earnest prayer that Your Majesty may be able 
to carry out your noble resolution, and thus have full time and opportunity to dis- 
charge the duties Avhich Your Majesty justly regards necessary to the success of 
your reign and beneficial to your whole people. In endeavoring to make good these 
auspicious promises, Your Majesty will have the full sympathy and the good wishes 
of the Government which I have the honor to represent at this capital." 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 15.] Department of State, 

Washington, February 28, 1891. 
Sir : I have received your No. 16, of the 5th instant, relating to the 
death of King Kalakaua and the accession of Queen Liliuokalani; and 
your No. 18, of the 9th instant, transmitting a resolution of Hawaiian 
citizens expressive of the gratitude to the Government of the United 
States, the governor of California, and the mayor of San Francisco, 
and through them to the people they represent, for courtesies extended 
to the late King during his recent visit to California, and of their thanks 
to Bear- Admiral Brown and the officers and men under his command, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



79 



on the United States flagship Charleston, for the attentive entertain- 
ment of His late Majesty on his way to this country, and the solicitude 
and care with which his remains were returned to Honolulu on board 
that ship. 

This Government is gratified to be apprised of the accession of Her 
Majesty Queen Liliuokalani, surrounded and sustained as she is by 
the good will and sympathy of her people; and I hasten to express on 
its behalf, not congratulations and good wishes alone, but the confi- 
dent expectation that the high duties devolved upon her by the act of 
Providence will be wisely and beneficently discharged. 

By his visits to this country, where he was always assured of a sin- 
cere and cordial welcome, the person of the late King had become 
familiar to many of the people, and his approachableness, the sim- 
plicity and amiability of his manner and the kindliness of his disposi- 
tion had rendered him the object of their friendly regard and aroused 
the desire on their part to testify their sentiments by such hospitalities 
as they might offer with propriety. It is therefore not necessary to 
emphasize the fact that his death among them became the cause of 
something more than a merely formal expression of sorrow, or that he 
will be long and pleasantly borne in remembrance. 

The many years of friendship between his late Majesty and the Gov- 
ernment of the United States, and the neighborhood and common 
interests of the Hawaiian and American peoples made it peculiarly 
fitting that the last honors should be paid to him, and his body be 
returned to his people, by officers and men of the American Navy, and 
on board an American ship of war. 

Your address to the committee of Hawaiian citizens, at whose 
hands you received the copy of resolutions transmitted by you, is 
approved. 

I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Blame to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 16.] Department of State. 

Washington, March 2, 1891. 
Sir: I have received your Nos. 21-30, and 21 bis of the old series, 
and Nos. 1-16 and No. 18 of the new series. 
I am, sir, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 19.] Department of State, 

Washington, March 10, 1891. 
Sir : I have received with great appreciation the copy of the reso- 
lutions of February 4, 1891, of the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce 
which accompany your No. 19 of 16th ultimo, relating to the late visit 
of His Majesty King Kalakaua to this country, and to his lamented 
death ; as also to the attention paid him while here and the solemn 
conveyance of his remains by one of our war-ships, from California to 
Honolulu. 

I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



80 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 20..] Department oe State, 

Washington, March 14, 1891. 
Sir: I have to acknowledge tlie receipt of your No. 20, of the 22d 
ultimo, on the political situation in Hawaii. It has been read with 
interest. 

I am, sir, etc., 

James Gt. Blaine. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 21.]" United Stater Legation, 

Honolulu, March 26, 1891. 
Sir: Your dispatch 15, of February 28, was received at this legation 
March 15. The chief portion thereof, all that relates to the late King 
Kalakaua and to Her Majesty the Queen, was duly communicated to 
the minister of foreign affairs, with the request that it should be read 
or otherwise made known to her, in a note dated March 17, to which 
I have received a response, a full copy of which is herewith inclosed. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



[Inolosure in ISTo. 21.] 

Department of Foreign Affairs, 

Honolulu, March 24, 1891. 

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's dispatch 
of the 17th instant, announcing that you had received from your Government a 
communication through the Secretary of State, Hon. James G. Blaine, relative to 
the death of King- Kalakaua and the accession of Queen Liliuokalani, and the reso- 
lutions of various bodies of Hawaiian citizens expressive of gratitude for the kind- 
ness shown by the Government and people of the United States to his late Majesty, 
and favoring me with a copy of the chief portion of said communication for Her 
Majesty's consideration . 

In reply I beg to state that I have had the honor of conveying to Her Majesty the 
Queen a copy of the honorable Secretary's communication .and have received her 
commands to acknowledge its receipt. Her Majesty is inexpressibly touched with 
the sincere sentiments of friendship for her departed brother and late Sovereign, for 
the Hawaiian nation, and for herself, so feelingly expressed by the Secretary of 
State for the Government of the Tnited States. The duties of the high position Her 
Majesty has been called upon to assume will, under the guidance of the Supreme 
Ruler, be discharged with the sole aim of benefiting her people and in thus obtain- 
ing and endeavoring to maintain the esteem and friendship of all nations, but more 
especially of the Government rejiresented by your excellency, whose friendship 
has been tried and tested in innumerable instances and to whose assistance and 
encouragement the nation is deeply indebted. 
With the highest esteem, I remain, etc., 

Samuel Parker, 
Minister of Foreign Affaire. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



81 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 23.] • United States Legation, 

Honolulu, April 4, 1891. 

Sir: Since the date of my dispatch, 20, of February 23, tile situa- 
tion here has improved in some degree. Contrary to what seems to be 
the plain terms of the Hawaiian constitution and to the opinions of 
framers of that document, as well as of tlie principal lawyers here, a 
majority of the supreme judges decided that the cabinet of Kalakaua 
ceased to have legal existence at his death. Two of the four judges 
were appointed under the old monarchical regime prior to the adoption 
of the reform constitution, and have been regarded as not specially 
sympathetic with that document. But from whatever cause or motive, 
the decision of the supreme court was in accord with the earnest wish 
of the Queen, who was especially averse to having Hon. John A. Cum- 
mins, the half- white planter, in the "ministry. Wilson, the half- white 
of Tahitian birth, named in my No. 20, whom, it is believed, the Queen 
desired for the premier, was unable to form a cabinet that the public 
would be likely to tolerate, of those who would consent to* serve with 
him, and is obliged to be content with the marshalship of the Kingdom. 

As now composed the ministry consists of Messrs. Wideniaim, Par- 
ker, Spencer, and Whiting — equally divided between the two political 
jjarties in the islands. Widemann is a German by birth, long a resi- 
dent here, a man of wealth, well advanced in years, formerly in the 
cabinet, somewhat erratic, quite irascible, and hardly calculated to 
get along well with his associates. He is married to a native Hawaiian. 
Samuel Parker, minister of foreign affairs, is of three-fourths 
Hawaiian and one-fourth American blood, a general favorite among the 
Hawaii a ns, and very friendly to the United States. He has appointed 
for his chief clerk Mr. F. Hastings, formerly for years a clerk in the 
United States consulate here, and a native of Calais, Me. Whiting is 
an American lawyer, from Boston, a resident here eight years or more. 
Spencer is a native of the State of New York, having come to the 
islands when a small boy, with his father, who was United States con- 
sul at Lahaina. 

The present indications as to the course of the new Sovereign are 
more favorable than they were the first two or three weeks after her 
accession. Her present bearing, and that of her husband, toward 
myself seem all that could be desired. It may be proper for me to say 
that I have it frormthe best sources, that my remarks on her accession, 
of which I sent a copy with my dispatch of February 23, have done 
good. 

Were it not for the peculiar characteristics of Widemann, the minister 
of finance, I would indorse the prevailing impression here, that "the 
present cabinet probably will continue until the next meeting of the 
Legislature," in June, 1892. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 

H. Ex. 48 6 



82 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Wharton. 

No. 28.] United States Legation, 

Uonohdu, July 23, 1891. 
Sir: In reply to dispatch, circular of the Department of State of 
June 25 relative to the inquiry of the Acting Secretary of the Treasury 
relative to sugar bounties, I have to reply that the Hawaiian Govern- 
ment pays no bounty whatever "directly or indirectly" on the produc- 
tion or the exportation of Hawaiian sugar. 
I am, sir, 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr, Stevens to Mr. Blaine, 

[Confidential.] 

ETo. 30.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, August 20, 1891. 
Sir : Touching the import of the inclosed clipping from the San Fran- 
cisco Chronicle, which has the appearance of being authentic, it is 
proper for me to say that the present political aspect here is peaceful. 
All the parties, since the death of Kalakaua, have been trying to gain 
the support of the new Sovereign and the influence of the palace, and 
this is tending to help keep things quiet in the immediate present. 
The selection of a new Legislature will occur in January, and the busi- 
ness men, as well as the leading political factions, are each hoping to 
secure 'a majority at the polls, and this tends to maintain present quiet. 
The probabilities strongly favor the presumption that a United States 
war ship will not be pressingly necessary in the two or three immediate 
months. 

But as early as the first of December, without fail, the month preced- 
ing the election, and for sometime thereafter, there should be a United 
States A^essel here to render things secure. I have strong reluctance 
to being regarded an alarmist, but with due regard to my responsi- 
bility I am impelled to express the opinion that a proper regard for 
American interests will require one ship here most of the time in 1892. 
In case of disturbance the only legal force here is^the city police and 
the palace guard of 60 men, both composed of natives and half-castes, a 
very frail and uncertain reliance in the time of special need. The rifle 
companies, composed of whites, were dissolved a year since by vote of 
the Legislature, which was done mainly to propitiate native prejudices 
and to secure native votes. The best security in the future, and the 
only permanent security, will be the moral pressure of the businessmen 
and of what are termed "the missionary people/' and the presence in 
the harbor of Honolulu of an American man-of-war. The presence of 
a United States vessel not only operates strongly to secure good order 
among the many nationalities here^ but it is a standing notice to foreign 
nations that the United States has a special care for these islands. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



83 



[In closure in ~So. 30.— From the San Francisco Chronicle.] 

Ordered to China— The Charleston to sail for Shanghai at once. — The steamers Marion, 
Alert, and Mohican, are to go direct from JSering Sea . 

[Special dispatch, to the Chronicle.] 

W A SHIXGTON, ' A lifj 11 S t 10. 

Orders were issued to-day for the Charleston to prepare at once to sail for Shanghai. 
This means she will lea ve San Francisco to-morrow or Wednesday. She will go via 
Honolulu, and if her immediate presence is not required tlier^ she will continue on 
her journey, which, it is estimated, can be completed in fifteen or eighteen days. 
This will bring her into Shanghai during the first week in September, wlien, if the 
expected outbreak of Chinese students should, occur, her services will be most 
needed. 

I learn, also, that a further draft is to be made on the vessels in Bering Sea. Orders 
arc now on the way for the Marion to leave Bering Sea at. once for Nankin, and for 
the Alert to follow as soon as she can be spared from her present police duty. 
Instructions Avill.go from San Francisco, by another Alaskan steamer leaving this 
week, for the Mohican to follow the Marion and Alert through the Aleutian Islands 
to the China coast. 

The Department's orders to the Alert and Mohican are in a measure discretionary 
with their respective commanding officers. From the instructions now on the way 
they will understand that the situation in China is serious, and that they are 
expected to proceed posthaste to that country the moment the ships can safely leave 
the sealing grounds. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

I^o. 31.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, September 3, 1891. 
Sir: Proper respect to the Government to which lam accredited, 
renders it proper for me to inform the Department of State that the 
Prince Consort, husband of the present Queen, John Owen Dominis, 
died in Honolulu August 27. For several years his health has been 
imperfect, and for a considerable time before his death he bad been 
comfined to his room. He was born in Schenectady, K Y., in 1832. 
His father was of Italian birth, and his mother a-native of Boston, 
Massachusetts. He came to these islands a child with his parents, his 
father being a master marine. He was educated at a Honolulu school, 
and for a while served as a mercantile clerk in San Francisco, and 
afterwards in one of the principal American commercial houses of 
Honolulu, until he was appointed private secretary to Kamehameha 
IYth, the reigning sovereign. Subsequently he was appointed gov- 
ernor of Oahn, which position he held for twenty years. In 1862 
he was married to the lady who is now Queen, by whom, on Iter acces- 
sion to the throne, a few months since, he was proclaimed His Eoyal 
Highness, Prince Consort. In 1874 he visited Washington and other 
American cities with King Kalakaua. By his associates he has been 
regarded amiable in character and of strong American S3^mpathies. 
His remains are now lying in state at the Royal Palace, and Sunday, 
September r>. will be buried with royal honors. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



84 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

Ko. 32.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, September 5, 1891. 
Sir: The Hawaiian cabinet, with the approval of the responsible 
citizens and the Queen, is about to renew the effort for a revision of 
the treaty with the United States, and the aim will be to secure entire 
free trade, with the exception of opium and distilled liquors. Believing 
thctt sucji an extension of the trade relations would be beneficial to 
both countries, 1 will endeavor to condense what seem to me the chief 
reasons why such a treaty as proposed should be made and carried into 
effect with reasonable promptness. The present reciprocity treaty has 
been highly advantageous to this country, has largely developed its 
resources, added to its wealth, and much increased American interests 
and influence here. It is just to say that it has had a tendency to 
carry investments and business enterprise too exclusively in a single 
channel. The repeal of the sugar duty by the United States has struck 
the principal material product of Hawaii a very severe blow, and with 
the most favorable estimate it now looks as though bankruptcy must 
be the inevitable fate of more or less of the sugar-planting firms and 
corporations. 

It is fair to state that a large proportion of the liberal profits of sugar- 
raising made under the present treaty while the United States main- 
tained the sugar tariff recently repealed has been expended in starting 
new plantations, in the building of expensive mills, piuxmasing improved 
machinery, and securing expensive methods and means of irrigation. 
It is obvious enough that no probable legislation or treaties can give 
the production of sugar here the prosperity it has had in recent years. 
It is equally obvious that a more diversified industry, a more varied 
business and development, would be for the ultimate welfare and civili- 
zation of these islands whose resources are much greater than the 
present population and the general American estimate of them seem 
to indicate. But reconstruction of business, like reconstruction in 
architecture and in government, is expensive to those who make it, 
whether by choice or compulsion. 

A new, enlarged, and liberal treaty with the United States would aid 
the present business men and holders of property here to parry the 
blow which the free-sugar policy of the United States has dealt their 
chief industry and means of commerce, and would tend to foster other 
agricultural products and commercial interests. A liberal and com- 
prehensive policy, in the direction indicated, is absolutely necessary to 
save these islands from grave disaster and secure the American in- 
terests and influence here which our Government has so long held of 
vital importance. In default of such a treaty and policy, Americans 
and the sons of Americans, who reside and have their investments 
here, will be driven to California, to Oregon, and Washington, in the 
desire of benefitting their fortunes and of enjoying the full citizenship 
of the United States. Much as Americans may desire the rapid 
growth and great prosperity of these splendid Pacific States, whose 
great future is so wellassured, it is manifestly not for the best interests 
of the United States to have their population of business men increased 
by depleting these islands of those who are now the very best sentinels 
and supporters of American interests here. Bear in mind that the 
prospects and prosperity of the American Pacific States are becoming 
more and more attractive to Americans here, and it is no imaginary 
danger of which I speak. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



85 



It is also becoming more ami more obvious that these islands are to 
be of commanding importance in the near future to American trade in 
the North Pacific. Great Britian, France, Germany, and Spain have 
taken possession of nearly all of the principal groups in the South 
Pacific and of the small isolated islands in the Central Pacific. If the 
Hawaiian group should slip from our control our national rivals would 
gain great naval and commercial advantage in the North Pacific, 
whose dominance fairly belongs to the United States. No thing can 
be plainer than that it is our imperative duty to hold these islands 
with the firm resolution and the invincible strength of the American 
nation. To ignore their respective value and to treat them other 
than with a liberal and fostering policy would be one of those blunders 
which justly have their place among the crimes of statesmen. Noth- 
ing should be done or neglected to be done, which would drive them into 
the control of England or Germany. At the present time the German 
plantation owners and the German commercial houses tend strongly 
towards the United States and want Hawaii to become an American 
dependency, and would even favor annexation. A majority of the En- 
glish would yield readily to the same tendency if our Government should 
not hesitate. 

The thrifty and prosperous Chinese merchants and property holders 
are ready to follow the lines of their interests in the same direction. 
But coldness and neglect on our part could not fail to strengthen for- 
eign political interests here to the future embarrassment and injury of 
the United States. The rapid decay of the native race of these islands 
now reduced to two-fifths of the inhabitants, and the increase of the 
foreign population, are tending to create new political and commercial 
contingencies and duties which can not be ignored, nor safely disre- 
garded. A prompt and vigorous American policy would prove the 
safest and most economical in the end. A liberal and wise considera- 
tion of* present exigencies and opportunities, the laying of a cable from 
San Francisco to Honolulu, and the opening of the Nicaragua Canal 
would make these islands a garden, with a population thrice its present 
numbers, with taxable resources enough to pay the expenses of their 
government and institutions, and help make Honolulu and Pearl Harbor 
impregnable with fortifications securely backed as they are by walls 
of highlands and mountains. Commercially and politically they can 
be rendered of more value to the United States than Malta and Cyprus 
are to Great Britain. 

Napoleon's axiomatical remark that " an army marches on its belly" 
has an equally forcible application to commerce as to war. Whether 
the agencies of transport are caravans, railroads, steamers or electri- 
cal forces, there must be feeding places, coaling stations, and store- 
houses. No thoughtful legislator or commercial agent with a good 
marine map before him, can fail to see that in the grand future now dawn- 
ing on the Pacific, these islands will be of immense importance to the 
United States, and that necessarily and inevitably they must continue 
under the increased fostering care of the United States, or fall under 
foreign control. A niggardly, hesitating, and drifting policy towards 
them would be as unwise and unsafe as unstatesmanlike. There is 
certainly no possible objection to negotiating and carrying into effect a 
full free trade treaty with them, for the aggregate of their products would 
be relatively so small compared with the vast productive resources and 
requirements of the United States as to make little perceptible differ- 
ence in American markets and prices. 



86 



PJAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Believing that the views I have herein expressed are in aeeord witb 
much in the past course of the American Government and in harmony 
with the opinions of the President and of the Department of State, I 
submit them for what they are worth. As an American citizen, loving 
my country and caring for its welfare, and its future greatness, I can 
say no less. As the official representative of the Government of the 
United States in these special circumstances I can properly say no 
more. 

I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 28.] Department op State, 

Washington, September 9, 1891. 
Sip: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 30 of the 20th 
ultimo, in relation to the need of an American ship of war at Honolulu. 

A copy of your dispatch has been transmitted to the Secretary of 
the Navy. 

I am, etc., 

William F. What? ton. 

Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 30.] Department of State, 

Washington, September 22, 1891. 
Sir: 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 31, of 
the 3d instant^ in relation to the death of the Prince Consort. 
I am, etc., 

William F. Wharton, 
Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 34.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, October 15, 1891. 
Sir : It is proper for me to inform the Department of State that, in 
consequence of the serious and probably prolonged illness of Minister 
Carter, the Hawaiian Government has appointed Hon. J. Mott Smith, 
special envoy extraordinary to negotiate with the United States a 
treaty of the character of which I gave an account in my dispatch. 32, 
of September 5. Mr. Smith is an American, is the present minister of 
finance, and has the marked confidence of the business men of these 
islands. Formerly he had resided here twenty or thirty years, but of 
late has been a resident of Boston, Mass. He has still consider- 
able property interests on the islands. Arriving in Honolulu a 
few months since, he was strongly urged by leading citizens and the 
Queen to become minister of finance, and some years ago he was in 
the cabinet of Kalakaua, and visited Washington in behalf of reci- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



87 



procity, about 1876. Though my acquaintance with hiui is brief, I 
have good reasons to think the Department of State will find him a 
safe agent with whom to negotiate a treaty favorable to the interests 
of the two countries concerned. I deem it safe to say that now is a 
good time to secure Pearl Harbor in practical perpetuity. Mr. Smith 
leaves here on the 17th. 
I have, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blame. 

No. 46.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 8, 1892. 

Sib : The semiannual election of members of the Hawaiian Legisla- 
ture took place February 3, after several weeks of exciting canvass. 
The principal issue on the part of the business men and more conserv- 
ative and responsible citizens was in respect of treaty relations with 
the United States. These supporters of the proposed new treaty, which 
they believe has been negotiated at Washington, had the approval of 
the principal Government officials, though the cabinet is far from being 
vigorous and influential. The opposition, or " liberals," as they term 
themselves, composed mostly of the irresponsible white voters, half- 
castes, and of a large majority of the native Hawaiians, push their 
canvass on three lines — a new constitution, opposition to the present 
cabinet, and hostility to the proposed treaty, though it finally hedged 
and disclaimed more or less in regard to the last. 

These so-called liberals were led by Wilcox, the half-cast, who was 
at the head of the revolutionary outbreak in July, 1889, and by C. W. 
Ashford the Canadian member of the cabinet, who betrayed and 
deserted his associates when Minister Carter was trying to negotiate 
a new treaty in 1889. This Ashford has some ability, any amount of 
audacity, and is utterly without scruples, and has done his utmost to 
influence the prejudices and passions of the native Hawaiians. Both 
he and Wilcox secured their election as representatives from this 
island. The Legislature is composed of 48 members, one-half being 
nobles, elected by property holding or income voters. The conserva- 
tives and friends of the treaty have secured most all of the nobles and 
enough of the representatives to give them a decisive majority, suffi- 
cient, it is thought, to secure the approval of the treaty, even with the 
Pearl Harbor grant in perpetuity. Not improbably there may be a 
change of cabinet when the Legislature assembles in May. 

There are increasing indications that the annexation sentiment is 
growing; among the business men as well as with the less responsible 
of the foreign and native population of the islands. The present 
political situation is feverish and I see no prospect of its being per- 
manently otherwise until these islands become a part of the American 
Union or a possession of Great Britain. 

The intelligent and responsible men here, unaided by outside support, 
are too few in numbers to control in political affairs and to secure good 
government. There are indications that even the liberals, just beaten 
at the election, though composed of a majority of the popular vote, are 
about to declare for annexation, at least their leaders, their chief news- 
paper having already published editorials to this effect. At a future 
time, after the proposed treaty shall have been ratified, I shall deem it 



88 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



my official duty to give a more elaborate statement of facts and reasons 
why a "new departure" by tlie United States as to Hawaii is rapidly 
becoming a necessity, that a "protectorate" is impracticable, and that 
annexation must be tlie future remedy, or else Great Britain will be 
furnished with circumstances and opportunity to get a hold on these 
islands, which will cause future serious embarrassment to the United 
States. 

At this time there seems to be no immediate prospect of its being 
safe to have the harbor of Honolulu left without an American vessel of 
war. Last Aveek a British gunboat arrived here, and it is said will 
remain here for an indefinite period. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 

]STo. 39.] Department of State, 

Washington, March 3, 1892. 
Sir: I have received your !so. 46, of 8th ultimo, in which you give a 
careful review of the political situation in Hawaii. 
I am, sir, etc., 

William F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 48.1 Honolulu, March 8, 1892. 

Sir : In view of possible contingencies in these islands I ask for the 
instructions of the Department of State on the following, viz ; 

If the Government here should be surprised and overturned by an 
orderly and peaceful revolutionary movement, largely of native Ha- 
waiians, and a Provisional or Eepublican Go vernment organized and pro^ 
claimed, would the United States minister and naval commander here 
be justified in responding affirmatively to the call of the members of 
the removed Government to restore them to power or replace them in 
possession of the Government buildings ! Or should the United States 
minister and naval commander confine themselves exclusively to the 
preservation of American property, the protection of American citi- 
zens, and the prevention of anarchy? Should a revolutionary attempt 
of the character indicated be made, there are strong reasons to presume 
that it would begin by the seizure of the police station, with its arms 
and ammunition, and this accomplished, the royal palace and the Gov- 
ernment buildings containing the cabinet officers and archives would 
very soon be captured, the latter buildings being situated about one- 
third of a mile from the police station. 

In such contingencies would it be justifiable to use the United 
States forces here to restore the Government buildings to the posses- 
sfon of the displaced officials'? Ordinarily in like circumstances the 
rule seems to be to limit the landing and movement of the United 
States force in foreign waters and dominion exclusively to the protec- 
tion of the United States legation and of the lives and property of 
American citizens. But as the relations of the United States to 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



89 



Hawaii are exceptional, and in former years the United States officials 
here took somewjiat exceptional action in circumstances of disorder, 
I desire to know how far the present minister and naval commander 
here may deviate from established international rules and precedents 
in the contingencies indicated on the first part of this dispatch. 

I have information, which I deem reliable, that there is an organized 
revolutionary party in the islands, composed largely of native 
Hawaiians and a considerable number of whites and half whites, led 
chiefly by individuals of the latter two classes. 

This party is hostile to the Queen and to her chief confidants, espe 
cially opposed to the coming to the throne of the half-English heir- 
apparent now being educated in England, and means to gain its object 
either by forcing the Queen to select her cabinet from its own members 
or else to overthrow the monarchy and establish, a liepublic, with the 
ultimate view of annexation to the United States of the whole islands. 
A portion of this party mean only the former, and the other portion 
intend the latter. Failing to accomplish the former, the most of the 
party would seek the* latter alternative. I have little doubt the revo- 
lutionary attempt would have been made ere this but for the presence 
here of the United States ship of war. I still incline to the opinion 
that the revolutionary attempt will not be made so long as there is a 
United States force in the harbor of Honolulu. But it would be rash 
to assume or assert this positively. Therefore I deem it my official 
duty to ask for instructions in view of possible contingencies. 

I may add that the u annexation w sentiment is increasing quite as 
much among the white residents and native Hawaiian and other work- 
in gmen who own no sugar stock as with the sugar planters. 
I am sir, your obedient servant, 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 

ISTo. 41.] Department of State, 

Washington, March 19, 1892. 
Sir : The Department has received your Nos. 19, 46, and 42 bis. 
I am, etc., 

William F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 50.] . Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, March 19, 1892. 
Sir: The Department of State will not deem it outside of the dutie 
of this legation to report that a highly interesting manifestation ot 
official courtesy has taken place to-day in the harbor of Honolulu. By 
due arrangement Queen Liliuokalani and tlie entire Hawaiian cabinet, 
as well as the royal chamberlain and court attendants, paid a visit to 
the United States ship San Francisco, Rear Admiral George Brown 
in command, who had sent the ship's boats to take the party on board. 
By the request of the Admiral, I was on board of the San Francisco to 



90 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

receive Her Majesty at the rail gate of the ship. She was received 
with the salute of twenty-one guns and the excellent music of the San 
Francisco band. The Queen and party were conducted about the ship 
by Admiral Brown and officers, and other civilities were shown to the 
royal party. At the close of the visit another salute of twenty-one 
guns was given and appropriate music played by the band as the boats 
containing the visitors passed to the shore. The weather during the 
clay has been exceedingly fine, and the occasion passed off iu the best 
manner. The San Francisco is the finest ship ever seen in the harbor 
of Honolulu. Admiral Brown and his officers exhibited admirable 
taste and courtesy to the official visitors, and there is no doubt of the 
good influence of the honors and politeness shown the Hawaiian repre- 
sentatives. 

I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 52.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, April £, 1892. 

Sm: That the Department of State may be well informed as to wmat 
is transpiring here in matters of politics and government it is neces- 
sary for me to report that the palace authorities have been seriously 
alarmed recently by what they believed to be strong indications of an 
armed insurrection. During the night of Sunday, March 27, by the 
direction of the marshal of the Kingdom the royal guard of sixty men 
were hastily put to the task of fortifying the approaches to the palace 
with bags of sand, fearing an attack. But no hostile force appeared, 
and. public opinion decides that there was needless alarm. The Queen 
has lost much in public regard of late, and has incurred the special ill 
will of many of the native Hawaiians. This is largely owing to her 
having taken to her close intimacy and confidence a half-caste Tahitian, 
by the name of Wilson, who became marshal soon after her accession 
to the throne, and whom she wished to have appointed to the most 
important place in the cabinet, the ministry of interior. 

Responsible men would not serve in the cabinet with him and 
therefore he was made marshal of the Kingdom, an office of great im- 
portance, as under his immediate control is the chief police force of the 
country. He now lives in or near the palace, and the Queen appears 
to be largely in his hands. The administration of his office results in 
very gross abuses, and it is a striking evidence of the forbearance and 
restraint of the white and native population that they endure it. 

The great lack here now is an intelligent and efficient executive, 
which it is impossible to have with the existing monarchy. For twenty 
years the palace has been the center of corruption and scandal, and is 
likely to remain so as long as the Hawaiian native monarchy exists. 

There is little doubt that the less responsible and more resolute op- 
ponents of the Queen and the marshal are strong enough to capture 
the palace and Government buildings, but the more responsible and 
conservative citizens favor only pacific measures and urge forbearance. 
The existing state of things fully justify what I have said in former 
dispatches as to the need of a United States vessel here, whose pres- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



91 



ence lias undoubtedly prevented an outbreak so far. I have strong 
hopes that quiet will be maintained until the meeting of the Legisla- 
ture, five or six weeks hence, which will then largely control affairs. 
In the meantime "the annexation" sentiment has grown rapidly. 
Quoting those who would seek annexation by first creating a republic, 
to the larger number and more responsible citizens, the chief property 
holders, who wish to use only pacific measures, they would carry all 
before them, provided the latter could get any encouragement that the 
United States would take these islands as a territory. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Blame to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 46.] Department of State, 

Washington, April 12, 1892. 
Sra: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 50 of 19th 
ultimo, relative to a visit made that day by Her Majesty, the Queen of 
the Hawaiian Islands, and by her Cabinet to the TJ. S. ship San 
Francisco, in the harbor of Honolulu. The Department has found 
pleasure in making its contents known to the Secretary of the Navy. 
I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr Blaine, 

[Confidential.] 

No. 56.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, May 21, 1892. 

Sm: That the Department of State may have a clear understanding 
of affairs here at the present time, I must state what is transpiring of 
some significance. 

May 19, at 5 p. in., the minister of foreign affairs and the attorney- 
general called at this legation and informed me that the Government 
had decided to arrest that night or the next day a considerable num- 
ber of persons charged with treasonable designs, and that the papers 
had already been issued by the judge. My opinion had not been asked, 
and it was then too late for me to oppose effectively and too short a 
time for me to investigate the proofs they claimed to have against the 
accused parties. In this confidential interview I was careful to have 
it understood that I would assume no responsibility in regard to the 
proposed proceedings ; yet the line of my inquiries and the reasonable 
implications of my language indicated " that I strongly doubted the 
expediency of these proposed arrests, especially as the Legislature 
would assemble within eight days. Subsequently I learned that the 
minister of foreign affairs, a native Hawaiian, had held back for some 
time against the proposed arrests, but finally yielded to the palace 
influences. 

On the following day, the 20th, seventeen arrests were made, and war- 
rants were issued to arrest forty to fifty other persons. The arrested 
men include Y. Y. Ashford, R. W. Wilcox, and other leaders of, 



92 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



the party, composed mainly of native Hawaiians and half-whites one, 
of them being member- elect of the Legislature about to assemble 
Wilcox was the leader of 'the revolutionary outbreak of 1889. Ash- 
ford, the ablest man of those arrested, a lawyer by profession, is a 
Canadian by birth, who served in the Union army during the Ameri- 
can war of the rebellion, but is still a British subject. The persent 
belief among intelligent men is that there can be no conviction 
of the accused persons by jury trial, with the possible exception of 
Ashford, who will be tried before a foreign jury; and so strong is the 
prejudice against him that he may be convicted by a foreign jury, 
though the evidence against him were inadequate. Wilcox and the 
other half-whites and native Hawaiians must be tried by a native 
jury, and nobody believes they will be convicted. If these presump- 
tions should be verified, Wilcox and other arrested natives will come 
out of prison only more influential than they were before. Why did 
the Government postpone these arrests so long and show this vigor 
just as the Legislature is about to assemble, there having been com- 
mitted no act of violence, no hostile gathering in the streets? 

Obviously for the following reasons: The Attorney-General unwit- 
tingly allowed me to understand what facts and circumstances otherwise 
informed me. The cabinetis very weak in itsmakeup. It had entirely 
lost prestige with the public. It knew that it was likely to be voted 
out by the Legislature because of its inefficiency. It hopes to gain 
strength by these arrests of persons against whom there is a strong 
prejudice with the legislative members elect. Who was and is the 
controlling factor back of the cabinet that forces this issue at so late an 
hour? The Tahitian half-caste marshal, the former reputed, if not the 
present paramour of the Queen, who terrifies her with the fear of an 
insurrection. This cabinet was mainly the choice of the marshal and 
the Queen, has never been passed upon by the legislature, that body 
never having been in session since its appointment, and does not dare 
resist what the Tahitian and the Queen see fit to do. Thi s largely gives 
the marshal the key of the situation. In a mistaken hour, imme- 
diately after the death of the late King, a majority of the judges in 
an era of good feeling, knowing that the Queen was importunate to 
select a cabinet of her own, gave a decision of policy, that she had 
the right to remove the cabinet then existing and select her own, 
in the exceptional case of the death of the sovereign, though the 
most level-headed judge — an American, McCulley, recentlj 7 deceased — 
gave a counter orfinion in accordance with the plain terms of the con- 
stitution, for the exclusive right of the Legislature to remove the min- 
isters is the vital and essential provision of the constitution, made in 
1887, so intended by the men now living here, who placed it in the 
constitution, and so regarded by the principal lawyers here. That 
decision of good-natured policy to conciliate the Queen had the imme- 
diate result of making her Tahitian favorite the most potent man at 
the palace. She wanted to make him minister of interior, the most 
responsible member of the cabinet, but he found it impossible to find 
associates. But a cabinet was formed, who immediately made him 
marshal of the Kingdom, with the entire police force, such as it is, in 
his hands, with an attorney- general largely under his influence. 

These are the circumstances which have given Wilcox, Ashford, and 
their associates their opportunity to increase their xjolitical influence. 
While the best and most responsible men of the islands are disgusted 
with the relations of the Queen and the Tahitian favorite, thej^ will not 
follow such agitators as have just been arrested. They Avish to secure 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



93 



a change by peaceful measures, and look to the Legislature, which was 
fairly and quietly elected, and is believed to have a safe majority of 
prudent men, several of them being of the chief men of the islands, of 
good American blood. 

Of course an American ship of war is still needed here ; one is ample. 
And when the San Francisco leaves I presume another ship will have 
arrived. One whose captain or other commander is cautious, reticent, 
and firm is specially needed where circumstances are so exceptional as 
they are here. 

I aru, sir, your obedient servant, 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 50.] Department of State, 

Washington, June 7, 1892. 
Sir : I have received your No. 56, of 21st ultimo, relative to the arrest 
of several prominent persons at Honolulu, on a charge of treason, 
and have advised the Secretary of the Navy of your suggestions as to 
the presence of a war vessel of this Government* at that port. 
I am, etc., 

William F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 57.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, June 11, 1892. 
Sir : I forward herewith two copies of Her Majesty's speech at the 
opening of the Legislature, May 28. Of what is transpiring in that 
body and all of importance that may be done the first month of its 
session I will give an account in a future dispatch. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



[Inclosure hi No.. 57.] 
The Queen's speech at the opening of the Legislature of 1892. 

Nobles and Representatives : Since the Legislature of this Kingdom last assem- 
bled death has taken from us your lamented King and my beloved brother. His 
reign of nearly seventeen years marked an extraordinary epoch in our country's 
history, an era of unparalleled commercial advancement, of educational enlighten- 
ment, and political progress. His late Majesty's memory Avill be held sacred by his 
friends, and his successful labors in the interests of his people properly estimated 
and respected by all. 

The decree of Providence and the constitution of the Kingdom having called me 
to occupy the throne of Hawaii, if is my earnest prayer that divine assistance may 
be vouchsafed to enable me to discharge the duties of the exalted position to the 
advantage of my people and the permanent benefit of Hawaii. 

With the consent of the nobles of the Kingdom, I have appointed Her Royal High- 
ness the Princess Victoria Kawekiu Kaiulani Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa as my 
successor. 

Fully recognizing that by the constitution and laws of the Kingdom my station 
is that of a constitutional monarch, accepting the will of my people, as pronounced 



94 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



by them through their representatives in the Legislature and my constitutional 
advisors, the ministers of the Crown, I shall firmly endeavor to preserve the autonomy 
and aboslute independence of this Kingdom, and to assist in perpetuating the rights 
and privileges of all who are subject to our laws and in promoting their welfare and 
happiness. 

I am gratified to state that my relations with foreign powers are of the most cor- 
dial and friendly nature. 

The treaty of commercial reciprocity between this Kingdom and the United States, 
which has hitherto proved so beneficial to both countries in building up and main- 
taining a larger commerce and exchange of productions, has been seriously affected 
by tariff legislation made by the Congress of the United States, the effect of which 
on our principal industry is being severely felt. I trust that such legislation as may 
tend to relieve the consequent depression will receive your early and careful atten- 
tion. 

I recommend the appointment of a special commission to ascertain the most prac- 
tical manner of developing and expanding the several industrial and agricultural 
resources of the Kingdom: and more especially with a view to enable small land- 
holders to add to the wealth and progress of the Kingdom by raising such products 
as the soil and climate of the country foster. 

The probability of a decrease in the revenues of the Kingdom requires economy 
and retrenchment in the expenditures of the public funds, but I earnestly hope that 
every effort will he made to carry out all necessary internal improvements through- 
out the Kingdom. 

I note with pleasure that surveys are being made between the western coast of the 
United States of America and these islands, for the purpose of laying a submarine 
cable. I sincerely hope that every effort to connect Hawaii by an electric cable with 
the outside world will continue to receive your assistance. 

I commend to your earnest attention the invitation received by my Government 
from the President of the United States of America to participate in the celebration 
of the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Colum- 
bus by sending an exhibit to the World's Columbian Exposition to be held at the city 
of Chicago in 1893. 

My ministers will submit for your consideration the reports of their several 
departments and the laws necessary for the welfare of the Kingdom and the promotion 
of the objects I have referred to. 

Nobles and representatives, invoking the blessing of Divine Providence upon your 
deliberations, I now declare the Legislature of the Kingdom open. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

Xo. 64.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu. September 9. 1892. 

Sm : I presume the Department of State already lias information of 
the seizure of Gilbert Islands by the English Government. But I 
deem it well to send you the inclosed slips from the Xew Zealand 
Herald. 

I also inclose copy of the recent change in the Hawaiian customs 
rates. When the official pamphlets of laws is published after the 
adjournment of the Legislature. I will forward copies. 

At the present time there is considerable excitement here in regard 
to a new. cabinet. 

The old cabinet has been voted out by a large majority, mainly be- 
cause it was very weak and was very much dominated by the Tahitian 
favorite of the Queen and persons in whom the best portion of the citi- 
zens had no confidence. * 

In trying to get a new cabinet the Tahitian and his associates push 
the Queen to resist the responsible men of the islands and the majority 
of the legislature. 

In my next dispatch I hope to announce the new cabinet, 
i have, etc. 

John L. Stevens. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



95 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 65.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, September 14, 1892. 
Sir : In iny dispatch, No. 64, of September 9, I expressed the hope 
that I would be able to send the information by this mail that a new 
Hawaiian cabinet had been formed to take the place of the one so em- 
phatically voted out by the Legislature, but the deadlock between the 
Queen and the Legislature continues. She has announced a new cabi- 
net, but it is so unsatisfactory to the legislative majority and the busi- 
ness men of the islands that it will undoubtedly be rejected to-day; 
but the vote will not be taken in time to send the information of the 
fact by this mail, which closes at 11 a. m. The Tahitian half-caste 
favorite of the Queen, the marshal of the little Kingdom, and his band 
of adventurers, still dominate the palace and defy the responsible men 
of the Legislature and the islands. An associate of the half-caste 
favorite is an American renegade by the name of Whaley, a disgraced 
and expelled San Francisco custom house officer, now at the head of 
the " opium ring," and one of the supposed owners of the Halcyon, the 
notorious smuggling schooner which flits between these islands and 
British Columbia. This man Whaley has more brain than the Tahitian 
favorite. 

The better portion of the English residents are in substantial accord 
with the principal Americans in support of the Legislature, and the 
chief German commercial houses and influential German residents are 
in full agreement with the Americans; but more or less of the English 
are so jealous of the strong American sentiment in the Legislature that 
they support the Queen and the Tahitian openly or covertly. The 
native Hawaiians, composing half of the Legislature, are about equally 
divided. The unscrupulous adventurers of different nationalities — 
Americans, English, and Germans, without character, and most of them 
without property — are with the half-caste Tahitian favorite and the 
Queen. A majority of the Legislature and the best citizens of the islands 
are exercising remarkable forbearance and self-control. 

It is proper for me to say that just at this time Mr. Mott Smith, the 
present minister at Washington, is likely to be misinformed as to the 
real condition of things, for the rejected minister of foreign affairs, a 
native Hawaiian, of the Queen's supporters, still occupies the foreign 
office, and the American deputy would hardly dare send any advices 
to Minister Smith not indorsed by the acting head of the department. 

The U. S. ship Boston is in the harbor, and Capt. Wiltse will coop- 
erate with me in exercising careful circumspection. In about twelve 
days from this I can send another dispatch. 

I am, sir, etc., John.L. Stevens. 



Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 57.] Department of State, 

Washington, September 29, 1892. 
Sir: I have received your No. 65 (confidential) of the 14th instant 
describing the deadlock existing between the Hawaiian Legislature and 
the Queen over the constitution of a ministry, and have inclosed a copy 
to the Secretary of the Navy for his confidential information. 
I am, etc., 

John W. Foster. 



96 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



So. 71.] . Mr, Steven* to Mr. Foster. 

Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, October 19, 1892. 

SiE : According to what I expressed in my dispatch 70 of October 
12 as likely to transpire here, on the 17th a resolution of want of con- 
fidence in the cabinet passed the legislature by a vote of 31 to 15 j 
the 24 members specified in my Xo. 70 having been increased by 7 
natives, thus making 17 native members in opposition to the cabinet 
and 10 in favor. As indicated in preceding dispatches the most 
potent factor in the pending issue is, whether the Tahitian favorite and 
the Queen shall defy the intent of the constitution as to the choice of 
ministry and the retention in office of the Tahitian marshal with all the 
abuse and corruption which surround him and the Queen. Though he 
has a wife, for years he has been regarded as her paramour, and her 
infatuation for him is now so excessive that he is believed to have 
almost absolute control of her official action. The two thirds majority 
of the Legislature represent the chief men of the islands, and the 
friends of order and good government generally. The faction of the 
Tahitian has with it most of the anti- American element, and this is the 
reason why the ultra Englishmen all are on the same side, with more 
or less approval of the English legation, the last simply because the 
legislative majority is strongly American in sympathy. As in the 
previous vote, two English members on the 17th voted with the mi- 
nority, and the three Americanized Englishmen, voted with the majority. 

The newspaper report of the debate I send gives indication of the 
drift of things in the Legislature. The minister of finance, who, in the 
debate, claims to be an American, was born here of Scotch-English 
parentage, and by plans and interest is hostile to the United States. 
Some years since he resided awhile in San Francisco, and it is said took 
out the preliminary papers for naturalization. But he and his brother 
are the chief members of an importing firm, mainly of liquors, and are 
the agents of English manufacturers. As stated in my ~No. 70, they 
were engaged in making the English loan in 1886, the negotiations of 
which cost this Government from $50,000 to $100,000. It is known 
that his plan was, if he had been retained in the cabinet, to push another 
heavy loan in England, thus aiding to mortgage these islands to English 
bondholders. To this scheme all the best men here are opposed. 

The insult to the American minister, spoken of in the resolutions and 
debate, was in certain anonymous communications published in the 
Bulletin, the official organ here, reflecting unjustly on the American 
minister, consul-general, and naval commander here for not ordering 
the U. S. ship Boston to hunt for the crew of the ship Wm. A. Campbell, 
wrecked in a gale 2,300 miles from Honolulu, of which the consul gen- 
eral has forwarded an account to the Department. 1 deemed it my 
duty to call the attention of the Queen and minister of foreign affairs 
to the falsehoods and insults in the Bulletin communications. Her 
Majesty's Government expressed in writing strong regrets for the offen- 
sive publications and the attorney-general pronounced them libellous, 
and offered to prosecute. I did not deem it wise to demand prosecu- 
tion, but required only full apology. The apology made is not wholly 
satisfactory to me nor to this Government. I leave the matter with 
Her Majesty's Government, which makes strong promises for the future. 
The Bulletin newspaper in reality is the organ of the Tahitian favorite, 
of the ultra English, and of the more disreputable persons: who sustain 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



97 



the palace against the legislative majority. The editor is a Nova-Sco- 
tian, aided by an Australian-and an Englishman. 

At this writing it is thought that there will be a "deadlock" of a 
week or two between the palace and the Legislature as to the apj>oint- 
ment of a new cabinet. There is a prevailing anxiety in the public 
mind as to the actual state of things. The Tahitian favorite of half- 
English blood does not mean to yield, and were there not an American 
ship- of- war here, he would perhaps try to use his police and a mob of 
"hoodlums" to break up the Legislature, restore the old constitution, 
and thus render the palace master of the situation. My present im- 
pression is that the Queen and her faction will have to yield, otherwise 
the entire overthrow of the monarchy could not be long delayed. 

I may say here that the personal relations of the English minister 
and myself are still pleasant. E can not yet believe that he advises 
the Queen to hold out against the Legislature, as some private rumors 
indicate, though he is undoubtedly apprehensive that the success of 
the legislative majority means more or less an American cabinet. 
I am, ^tc., 

John L. Stevens. 



[Inclosure in No. 71.] 

Daily Pacific Commercial Advertiser, October 18, 1882. 

The Legislature. — One hundred and eighth day, 

Monday, October 17 

The house met at 10 a. m. 

The minutes of the preceding day were read and approved. 

Rep. Waipuilani moved the following resolution of want of confidence : 

"Whereas the present cabinet has not announced or given any intimation or evi- 
dence of any financial policy which will extricate the country from its present dan- 
gerous financial situation ; and 

u Whereas it is essential to the commercial progress of the country that more 
favorable treaty relations with the United States be obtained whereby our products 
can obtain a free market in that couiftry ; and 

" Whereas the present cabinet has shown no disposition to favor any such policy, 
and the present head of the cabinet has displayed conspicuous hostility toward the 
representative of that country in this kingdom, and the general tone of the admin- 
istration has been and is one of opposition and hostility to the United States of 
America and American interests, thereby rendering it improbable that any changes 
in our treaty relations favorable to Hawaii can be negotiated by this cabinet; and 

" Whereas the cabinet has given no evidence of any intention to attempt to 
remedy existing scandals in the police department, and. have otherwise failed to 
evince any ability to successfully guide the nation through the difficulties and 
dangers surrounding it : Therefore be it 

"Resolved, That the Legislature hereby expresses its want of confidence in the 
present cabinet." 

Rep. Waipuilani said it was proper that he should explain in a few words his 
reason for bringing this resolution. Such a resolution had been brought once before, 
and he had voted against it because the cabinet was then new and he thought it 
should have an opportunity to express itself by deeds. The cabinet had now been 
in office a number of weeks. Week after week was slipping by and nothing was 
done by them, although a policy had been promised. But none had been announced 
and nothing done, and the house was tired of waiting. It would be a waste of time 
for him to go on and discuss the matter in detail. Business was dull, closer rela- 
tions with the United States were necessary and the conduct of the present cabinet 
was not likely to produce that. Everyone knew what the head of the cabinet had 
done. He had brought in a resolution against the American minister, which had 
been expunged from the minutes of the house. All knew that the Bulletin, which 
was supposed to be under the control of the cabinet, had adopted a course antago- 
nistic to the minister and to the whole of the United States, and the cabinet, which 
might have stopped it, had allowed it to go on. 

H. Ex. 48 7 



98 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



If the cabinet allowed that paper to go on insulting the minister and remain silent 
themselves, they make themselves responsible, and antagonize the whole American 
people against us, and under such circumstances how could we expect to get a more 
favorable treaty. He favored free trade with the United States, which would be of 
great benetit to the whole country, and especially to the district which he repre- 
sented, where pineapples could be canned and exported if it were not for the Amer- 
ican duty of 35 per cent. Everyone knew that the reciprocity treaty was of the 
greatest benefit to this country, increasing values 10 to 100 fold. How could any 
more favorable treaty be hoped for if the cabinet adopted a policy of incessant irri- 
tation toward the United States? 

Perhaps not the least reason for this motion was the fact that the cabinet had 
looked quietly on at the great scandal in the police department, and had done noth- 
ing. Moreover, the attorney-general had the other day actually proposed to refer 
the whole matter to another committee after it had already been investigated by 
several. Either that was an insult to the committees which had already spent so 
much time on the subject, or, if not so intended, the idea was to prevent a report 
and stave oft* all further investigation. No one had been removed at the police sta- 
tion. Let any member of this house go down on Maunakea street and he will see 
che fa played openly, with no attempt at concealment, the police mixing with the 
crowd. Opium was smuggled unchecked. The fame of the opium scandals had 
gone abroad and affected the good name of this Government. The attorney-general 
might institute proceedings to stop some of this, but the cabinet could not take to 
itself a stiff backbone and cleanse the evils oppressing the Government. 

Rep. Kapahu moved the resolution be made the special order for Thursday. The 
introducer of the resolution was prepared; the speaker was not, not having known 
the resolution was to be brought in. Moreover, the minister of the interior was not 
present, and no one liked to attack an empty seat. The adoption of this resolution 
was no small matter, and justice required some delay. 

Rep. Kauhi favored considering the resolution to-day. The majority must decide. 
This was the second resolution of the kind brought against the cabinet, and they 
must be prepared already. 

Rep. Kapahu wished to know whether this resolution was the same as the other. 

Rep. Kauhi said there was a strong family resemblance between them. The other 
resolution was really carried, but was thrown out on a question of law. Before 
sunset we should know what the fate of the resolution is to be. 

(Minister Gulick entered and took his seat during the remarks of Rep. Kauhi.) 

Rep. Xawahi said it made no difference to him personally whether the resolution 
was considered to-day or Thursday. But the house was sitting as judges, and if the 
defendants — the cabinet — wished a delay to prej)are themselves, let them have it. 
If they were ready let the house proceed at once. When the late cabinet was on 
trial, the twenty-seven hour attorney-general said they were ready to go on. 

Rep. Kamauoha said a resolution had been brought before, which he had opposed 
for reasons very similar to those given by the member from Kona. He was disap- 
pointed in the present cabinet. He had thought they would do something about 
cleansing the police department. These complaints against the marshal had been 
made for a long time, and so it was with a feeling of disappointment that he had 
heard the attorney-general recommend reference of the matter to another commit- 
tee. The minister of finance had, with the other members of the finance committee, 
presented a very strong report severely criticising the police department. How is 
it that he does not join in now that he is a minister and insist on carrying these 
recommendations out? He had had confidence that this would be done, but that 
confidence was now severely shaken. 

Another thing which inclined him to A r ote for this resolution was the fact that the 
attorney-general was the introducer of a bill — the registration act — which was very 
obnoxious to the Hawaiian people. Another thing whic h shook his confidence in 
the attorney-general was the bill authorizing the O. R. and L. Co. to mortgage their 
franchise to foreigners. The attorney-general might say that was not a cabinet 
measure. It had. however, the support of-the cabinet, which made it to all intents 
and rmrposes a Government measure. Owing to the McKinley bill, the great indus- 
try of the country had come to a standstill. Yet the present cabinet had nothing 
to offer. The country could not afford to have a cabinet in office which was in open 
hostility to the United States or its representative, or which showed that disposi- 
tion. We ought to conciliate in every way the United States, and show a friendly 
disposition toward that nation. Representing, as he did, the district of Kohala, one 
of the largest sugar districts of the Kingdom, he felt it his duty to support this res- 
olution. 

Rep. Kanealii said he agreed with the first and last grounds set forth in the reso- 
lution, but favored the striking out that part which related to the personal relations 
of the cabinet with the ministry, because to drag in personal matters would only 
intensify feeling. All knew that the present head of the cabinet brought in a reso- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



99 



lution against the American minister. The house had cleansed itself of that matter 
by striking the resolution from the records of the house. The speaker thought that 
bringing that up again was inexpedient. He favored the resolution with that 
amendment, and he favored considering the resolution to-day. The claim that the 
cabinet was unprepared had nothing in it. This resolution had been the talk for a 
long time, and the cabinet were doubtless as ready to meet it now as they ever would 
be. We all wanted the flesh of this cabinet. 

Noble Hoapili called on the cabinet to say whether they wanted the delay or not. 

Attorney-General Neumann said he had not been aware that the resolution was to 
be brought this morning. He was ready to take some of the matters up to-day. 
There were allegations based upon street rumors, to which he was ready to make 
answer immediately; on other matters he would like a delay until to-morrow. He 
would like to have a few words to say on the registration act, etc. He had no desire 
to sit as a minister, and was ready to resign at any moment. He proposed to defend 
his action on the registration bill and 0. R. & L. Co. bill as long as he had a voice 
and vote in the house. There were none so blind as those who would not see, nor 
so deaf as those who would not hear. If the house chose to grant time until to-mor- 
row, the cabinet would be thankful. If not, it was ready to proceed to-day. 

Noble Hoapili, continuing, said the remarks of the attorney- general raised doubts 
in his mind. (Attorney-General: " Well, I'll remove them if I can.") This was the 
fourth resolution of want of confidence brought in this session. One was with- 
drawn,' the second was carried; on the last he had voted with the minority in favor 
of the ministry. Since that time the ministry had stayed here, and the house had 
certainly waited a long, long time for them to announce a policy. For a long time 
there had been a general feeling throughout the country that there was a great deal 
of corruption in the police department and that the marshal should be removed. 
The cabinet had known that that was the almost unanimous feeling of the house. 
Yet they did nothing. He had no hesitation in saying that he supported the resolu- 
tion on that account. A few days ago there had been a big disturbance on the 
street corner and the police had been called on to stop it, but they would do nothing. 

Minister Macfarlane (sotto voce). It was a luau. 

Noble Hoopili. He asked the police officer why he made no arrest, and the officer 
said the marshal gave the orders not to arrest anybody except when caught in some 
act of violence. A hack was there without lights, and vile and obscene language 
was being used. The police would do nothing, and finally Peter High took the matter 
up and with speaker's assistance a man was arrested and punished. These things 
were a scandal, and if the attorney-general could not stop it someone else must be 
got. On the other hand, people came to him and told him that the idea was to re- 
move the cabinet, so as to get an annexation cabinet in, and annex the country to 
the United States. If he believed that, he would support the cabinet. He would 
rather have corruption and scandal than annexation. He was distinctly opposed 
to annexation, and was so instructed by his constituents, but he favored close re- 
lations with the great "inakua" over there. 

Rep. R. W. Wilcox had but a few words to say. The attorney-general had sug- 
gested waiting until to-morrow, but the attorn ej-general was noted for his readi- 
ness, and could defend himself to-day as well as to-morrow. So far as the announce- 
ment of a policy was concerned, every man, boy, and child in the country knew the 
cabinet had done nothing; so, what could be said in their defense? The same could 
be said in regard to the police department; nothing had been done. The matter of 
relations with the United States had not been much discussed in the Hawaiian 
papers, and as to that something might be said; but without it there was enough 
and the question should be settled this afternoon. 

Attorney-General Neumann. How does the member know that nothing has been 
done about the police department? 

Rep. R. W. Wilcox. Have not the committee made their report and recommenda- 
tions? 

Attorney-General Neumann said he had also made his report and had wished a 
committee appointed in order that he might explain to them why their recommenda- 
tions could not be carried out. 

Rep. R. W. Wilcox said the proposition to appoint a new committee was an insult 
to the house and .showed that the attorney-general was not fit to occupy his posi- 
tion. He admitted his weakness. He came here and admitted that he could not 
tell the house why he could not carry out the recommendations of the committee. 
He would therefore favor the resolution. The part about the relations with the 
United States might be stricken out as there was enough without that. 

Rep. Nawahi said if there had been any publications in the newspapers regarding 
the American minister, the latter would have his remedy in the courts. He, there- 
fore, favored striking out that part of the resolution/ As to the rest, he did not 
need to state his views. The cabinet has had fair warning. He had voted against 
the last resolution simply to give the cabinet a trial. When it had been here a 



100 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



month it wus in order to say to them, you have been tried and found wanting. A 
man could not talk on an empty stomach, so he favored a recess till 1:30 p. in. 
Carried at 12:01. 

A V T E R N OON SESSION. 

The house met at 1:35 p. ra. 

Noble Thurston proposed to say but a very few words, lie had stated his opinion 
a month ago, and had seen nothing to change his mind since. The present resolu- 
tion was introduced by one who voted against the former resolution. It had been 
tacitly agreed that the opposition should not filibuster, but should quietly go about 
its business. That policy has been pursued up to the present time. There were a. 
number of members who voted against the resolution then because they wished to 
see what the cabinet proposed to do. In the meantime they had been deciding what 
they themselves would do; this resolution was the result. Two members had stated 
that they favored the resolution on two of the grounds set forth, but not on the 
other. Here were five of the original supporters of the cabinet who had now de- 
clared against them, except that two of them were nor agreed with one of tin- 
reasons set forth. 

The question now to be settled was whether the house had confidence in the cab- 
inet or not. Those who had confidence in the cabinet would vote against the reso- 
lution, and those having no confidence in them should vote for the resolution, no 
matter what their reasons might he. All would not necessarily have the same rea- 
sons. For himself he did not care whether there was any preamble or not. He was 
prepared to vote for a resolution of a single line. Others might have a preamble if 
they liked. He was ready to state his reasons for his vote, and others might state 
or conceal their reasons as they saw fit. The member from Wailuku and the mem- 
ber from Hilo had both stated that the third ground, the scandals in the police de- 
partment, was their main reason for supporting the resolution. That was their 
reason. The speaker on the other hand considered the attitude of the cabinet 
toward America the leading reason, and upon this second point he proposed to speak . 
In regard to the marshal, it might be that everything which the members from Hilo 
and Wailuku alleged was true, but that was a matter which would eventually be 
remedied. Whether it was remedied to-day or to-morrow, would not vitally affect 
the future of the country. There had been bad administration there before. The 
present cabinet had the right and duty to remedy that, and it was entirely within 
their power. The responsibility was upon them to do it or not. They have ample 
power. That is the point. 

The other charge is that they have developed no financial policy. That also was 
not so absolutely vital a point as the one upon which the speaker would lay stress. 
The second reason therefore contained something which might or might not be 
within their power, viz, to Cope with the financial situation: but -the third reason 
was something which struck right down into the vitals and pockets of the country, 
and it was something with which this cabinet could not cope. Pineapples were 
being planted on Hawaii, in Man oa, and at Ewa. Pineapple-raising could be car- 
ried on with large returns. In Cona all you had to do was to stick the top into the 
ground. Why were not pineapples raised? Because the American duty of 35 per 
cent destroyed the margin of profit. Why were these people starting in? Because 
they hoped we could negotiate a trea.y and get that duty taken off. If it were 
taken off 509.000 pineapples would be exported inside of three years. It was not 
only on pineapples that there was a duty of 35 per cent, but on every species of 
preserved fruit. The member from Lahaina had brought in a bill about guava 
jelly. Thurston and his one guava bush in Manoa was made the text of a number 
of speeches at the last campaign, but the guava jelly will march, triumphantly 
over the head of the speechmaker. 

If this duty can be got rid of, Avhen guava jelly gets to paying a haudsome profit 
not only the capitalist will benefit, but the poor man in Hamakua, for instance, 
where the bushes cover the land from the sea to the bush as thick as they can grow 
in unbroken masses for miles, and all you have to do is to go out and pick them. These 
were but two items which had been brought before the house by petitions and bills. 
He might go on the whole afternoon enumerating others. It was, therefore, obvious 
that whether the cabinet was on friendly terms with the United States was impor- 
tant, not merely to the capitalist, but to all the poor throughout the land. Two 
.years ago the cabinet were charged with trying to sell out this country. They got 
them out and as soon as they did they adopted the programme of their predecessors 
and tried to get the same treaty negotiations. It was pigeonholed. 
-They tried in every way to stir up feeling here against America and the Ameri- 
cans and then sought favors from the United States. Had they succeeded? The 
government which went in then was not personally hostile to the United States. 
The ministry went with their party. But now we have a cabinet whose leader 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



101 



went out of his way to insult the United. States on the floor of this House, and their 
organ carried ou the same thing to-day. It was useless to deny government owner- 
ship iu this organ. Government ownership did not alone make an organ. The Now 
York Tribune was the organ of the Republican administration, hut it was not owned 
by the government. It was immaterial whether the paper was controlled by the 
cabinet, or as he was informed, partially owned by them. He had reason to believe 
that the cabinet did have something to do with the Bulletin, and that its late apology, 
which apologized and then rubbed it in alternately, was written with their cogni - 
zance, and that the anti- American tone of the paper was an expression of the atti- 
tude of the cabinet. He did not propose to inquire whether the minister of finance 
had good reason for his resolution, etc. It was sufficient to point out the fact that 
there was the antagonism of the cabinet toward the representative of the American 
interests here. 

With the fact staring us in the face, was it not perfect folly to go home and let 
the cabinet stay there expecting them to do anything for Hawaiian agricultural 
interests? He was not talking on an annexation basis, but _was speaking on the 
same basis as the attorney-general on the late want of confidence debate, who had 
expressed his views to a dot. The United. States would never take possession ol 
this country against the will of its people. It was not a live issue now, and when it 
was introduced it was done solely with a view to mislead. Annexation was brought 
up and trotted out regularly, and was simply a substitute for the old missionary 
cry. When an election, etc.^ was over it would not be heard of again until a similar 
occasion arose. Before being frightened by the annexation scarecrow it was well 
to stop and think. All history belied the idea that the United States would ever 
take this country against the will of the people. It had been the first to recognize 
its independence. Follow the history down. When Lord George Paulet hauled 
down the Hawaiian flag, what was the position of the United States? A United 
States frigate appeared here, refused to acknowledge the foreign usurper and, in 
defiance of him, fired a royal salute. 

Passing over this episode, which the British Government right royally retrieved, 
w ha t was the position taken by the United States at the time of the French usurpa - 
tion? A treaty of cession was signed and sent to Washington, where it lay for four 
solid months untouched, and Avhenthe danger was over it was returned without pre- 
tence of any right to retain what had been freely given without solicitation. The 
French have gone on until they now own a hundred islands. Daniel Webster said 
that if the French took the islands they would take them back and restore their 
independence if it took the whole power of the United States'to do it. That was 
their position, and it had been consistently maintained ever since. 

Again, it had not been foreigners who proposed all this. Kamehameha III himself 
proposed to cede the islands, and just before he was going to do so he was taken sick 
and died. The treaty lies in the foreign office ready for his signature, and may be 
seen by anybody. It was unnecessary to come doAvn to the events of the last twenty 
years. They were within the knowledge of everybody. The United States had, out 
of its bounty, given us a treaty for which it received almost no monetary return, 
which had put millions into the pockets of this country. The advantages of this 
treaty were now gone, and additional ones must be sought. Not only was it a fact 
that the United States had stood between Hawaii and France, between Hawaii and 
England, had held our independence in their hands, had given us a treaty, but dur- 
ing the reign of the present sovereign a ship of war had been asked by Her Majesty's 
Government if it would assist in preserving order against internal enemies. Apart 
from these financial and material interests, common decency and common gratitude 
should prevent these slurs and insinuations on the United States. It was an insult 
to the opposition which was not less loyal than the cabinet, and the ideas were 
advanced simply to keep the cabinet in power. In conclusion, the speaker said it 
made no difference on what ground members united against the cabinet if they 
agreed in having no confidence in it. 

Rep. Bipikane said it had always been his practice to scrutinize every cabinet. 
He had watched this one. He saw no advantage to be gained by delay. If there 
was a majority in favor of the cabinet, the resolution would not pass; if there were 
not, it would, and that was the sum of the matter. The resolution brought in be- 
fore was carried, so far as numbers go. He voted for the cabinet then to give them 
a chance to do something. They had done nothing at all. If the cabinet had not 
power enough to remove the marshal, they had better remove themselves. There 
was no use in delay. The question did not need any discussing. He had been 
watching cabinets for thirty years, and never seen anything like this before. Why 
did not the attorney-general put out the men whom the people wanted put out? 
This was the fourth resolution of want of confidence which had come in. That 
ought not to be so. A few small branches had been lopped off, but the stump — the 
marshal — was still there. They voted a want of confidence, and the marshal was 
there still. If they voted another, he would still be there; and if that was the way 



102 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



tilings were going to go, the house might as well pack up and go home, and let the 
cabinet own the country and make the "laws. 

Let the cabinet stick to their marshal and run the Government without any ai d or 
vote of money from the Legislature. All he wanted was to have the right done. It 
was the general wish of the country to have the marshal removed. The cabinet 
should have whispered in the ear of marshal: "If you have any regard for us please 
resign, or we will not be able to keep our seats." He would like to know whether, 
if we would promise to support them, they would make an oath that no more opium 
should be smuggled? Who was benefited when opium was smuggled in? All of 
them — they were all benefited. He did not make these remarks to assist the passage 
of the resolution — that was a foregone conclusion — but on the scriptural principle : 
" He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." The cabinet had ears, and they had 
heard his opinion of them, but they had not done anything. He moved the previous 
question. Withdrawn. 

Noble Fua said this was the second resolution against this cabinet. Such resolu- 
tions had been common since 1887. The first reason announced was that the cabinet 
had no financial policy. Yet they had the confidence of moneyed men. If the in- 
troducer of the resolution and the member for the Third ward had been ministers 
they would not have been able to borrow one cent. He was sorry to see the dispo- 
sition among native members to favor this resolution. It was very foolish to go on 
removing cabinet after cabinet. Wben Mr. Gibson was minister everything was 
pros-porous; yet there was a clique which was not satisfied, and their dissatisfaction 
culminated in a revolution. Everything was prosperous in 1887, and then the reform 
party took the Government and ran it into the ground. 

Now, after they had ruined the country and themselves, they came begging for 
help, and yet when measures were proposed like the lottery bill to make the. conn- 
try prosperous they opposed them. The Government has been run on a moral and 
holy plan long enough. Let us try some of the schemes got up by the devil and see 
how they work. Morality has failed; let us try the devil and his plan for a while. 
Let us have a change. The good plan is played out. The lottery bill will give us 
$12,000,000, and the" missionaries will put them in their pockets fast enough and ask 
no questions. The lottery bill will give us our gold, and Horner's bill our paper. 
All this talk about the works of the devil will then wear out, and people will con- 
sider it very good money after all. The resolution said that the cabinet were opposed 
to American interests, and not on'good terms with the American minister. He 
would like to ask the ministers about that. 

Minister Parker said he would say something on that score after the member was 
through. He had all the documents there. 

Noble Fua, proceeding, said the idea was to get rid of the cabinet and have a better 
one. Did the member from Kona expect to get four angels from heaven? 

Rep. Waipuilani said his business was to record his vote in this case against the 
cabinet. If Her Majesty wished to import four angels from heaven that w r as her affair. 

Noble Pua, said the member, was like a boy who went fishing without any bait. 
Proceeding, the speaker said he himself would make a good deal better minister 
than many who might be named. He favored indefinite postponement of the resolu- 
tion. 

Minister Parker said he had not intended to say anything in defense of the cab- 
inet, but he would make a few remarks on the allegations regarding the relation of 
the cabinet to the American minister. There might be some truth in the statement 
in regard to the relation of the premier to the minister, but the resolution on the 
whole gave a wrong impression. The documents in his hand would show what the 
situation was. The policy of the Government was the same as that of the honor- 
able noble from Maui would be if he were aminister. The documents it would hardly 
be proper to make public, but, if necessary, the clerk of the house might read them. 
The honorable noble had made statements of facts which he might have learned 
from the Advertiser, perhaps, or through spies. It was true that insulting articles 
had been published in the Bulletin, but the cabinet was not in any way responsible 
for them. (Rep. Ashford: " Will you allow a question? ") After I get through. I 
know the question. It is true I own a little of the stock. That does not make the 
Cabinet responsible because I own a little of the stock. 

Rep. Kamanoha asked if there had been any feeling of irritation between the . 
American minister and the cabinet, and, if so, whether that feeling ha*» been done 
away with? 

Minister Parker could not speak for the relations of the minister of finance with 
the American minister, but his own relations were cordial. As to the considera- 
tion of the resolution, he, personally, was ready to have it proceeded with at once. 

Rep. Kaunamano said it is alleged that the present head of the cabinet was inso- 
lent to the minister of the United States. He had brought in a resolution against 
the minister of the United States, but that resolution was laid on the table and no 
action was taken on it. If that is all that is alleged in the present resolution, it is 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



103 



not right to bring that up now. It is all over. But if it is anything which has 
transpired since, that is different. Therefore, if all the foundation of this resolution 
is the one that Minister Macfarlane brought in then, then the house should not en- 
tertain this resolution, but should lay it on the table. I have heard it said that the 
American minister took umbrage that the Hawaiian people should wish a ship of 
war sent out for the relief of a" wrecked vessel. If that is the only reason that this 
resolution is brought in, then it should not be entertained for a minute. Therefore 
I say that if this resolution is passed on the resolution brought in by Minister Mac- 
farlane when he was noble, then it should be dismissed. But it is put into the reso- 
lution because the opposition was to create ill-feeling here, that they wish to force 
the United States to take this country. 

• We know that every difficulty of this country for the last fifty years has not been 
caused by Hawaiians. Fifty years ago it was a few Englishmen who caused the 
trouble, then the French people, now it is the white people, not the natives. So this 
clause is put in this resolution to keep prodding the United States till they come 
down here and take this country. This resolution says the cabinet has not given 
any notice of a policy. The minister of finance has announced that the policy of 
the Government was to reduce the expenses of the Government. This was hailed 
with delight by the house. They may not have announced a policy in regard to 
the banking bill, but they have in regard to economy, and that is very important. 
The cabinet enjoys the confidence of the business men of this community. They 
can go out and get money to pay salaries at the end of the month. The house should 
take this into consideration. I move that the house take a recess until 7 o'clock. 
Lost. 

Rep. White moved to take a recess till 7:30. 

Rep. Ashford did not believe in a recess. Every member had made up his mind 
how to vote, and it was unnecessary to take a recess. 

Rep. White said he wished to have an opportunity to convince the members from 
the third that he is wrong in supporting this resolution. I move the house take a 
recess till 7 :30. 

Rep. R. W. Wilcox. I move the previous question, 

Minister Macfarlane. I claim it is an unfair advantage to take of the ministry to 
spring a motion of the previous question on us. 

Rep. Smith. I would request the motion be withdrawn. 

Noble Baldwin. We should give the ministers a chance to speak on this question. 

Rep. R. W. Wilcox. I am willing that the ministers should have a chance to speak. 

Minister Neumann. I express my thanks to the member from Waialua, and I 
believe the member from the third wishes to close this discussion, because ho thinks I 
wish to speak about him. 

Rep. White said this resolution alleges three grounds for being introduced. Any 
man who is going to announce a policy waits for a favorable occasion to announce 
a policy. I have been informed that this cabinet has the intention of giving this 
house a policy in a very few days. It is not right in us to try to put them out before 
they have a 'chance to do anything. As to the second clause of this resolution, that 
the head of the cabinet was hostile to the American Government, who is the head 
of the cabinet? There is no head of the cabinet. The constitution provides no 
head to any cabinet, and therefore this clause falls to the ground. As for the re- 
moval of the marshal, this house has given no reason for removing him. If this 
house is to remove men as they want to, we had better dispense with the judiciary 
department and all other departments of the Government. The marshal is doing 
his duty. He is doing all he can to enforce the law. There are opium cases in the 
courts all the time. Two or three days ago the marshal made a capture of over eight 
hundred tins of opium. What more can he do? He stopped the last uprising in 
this country by his forethought and sagacity. The marshal is not perfect ; very few 
men are. But he has done excellently in his position. If every man was perfect 
there would be no world. This would be heaven, not earth. Those who are advo- 
cating a change in the cabinet are only those who wish to further their own ends. 

Rep. Bush rose to a point of order. He said Rep. White had the floor more than 
the time allowed. 

President Walker. This is a part of the free fight, and there has been no restric- 
tion on time. I shall have to rule that the gentleman will have to take his seat. 

Rep. Bush said there was only one speech that day that was over the half-hour 
limit. We have given the ministry all the chance to speak that they could possibly 
want, and they have not taken advantage of it. 

Rep. Kamauoha moved that the member from Lahania be allowed to speak. Lost. 

Noble Marsden said that the member had a little habit of speaking all day. He 
was perfectly willing to give him another half hour, but to give him unlimited time, 
never. He therefore moved that he have another half hour. Carried. 

Rep. White. I move that we take a recess till 7 :30. Amended to 7 o'clock ; amended 
to 10 o'clock on Tuesday. 



104 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Minister Maefarlane. Tbe cabinet is prepared to go on to-night ; and moved to 
take a recess till 7 o'clock. 

Rep. Ash ford wanted to go ahead now. 
Carried till 7 o'clock. 

EVENT XG SESSION. 

The house reassembled at 7 :03 p. m. 

Rep. White. Tbe second clause relating to the American minister should be 
stricken out. As for tbe marshal, he had proved himself in many respects a very 
efficient officer. As for opium, some was brought in only a few days ago, in the 
vessel S. X. Castle in containers marked C. & C. Just as much was smuggled during 
tbe Thurston administration. The resolution might pass, but the reasons assigned 
for it had very little weight. Some of the members had very little patience. Tbe 
work of the session was by no means complete. This resolution should be postponed 
until after the passage of tly? appropriation bill. A popular vote would keep the 
cabinet in their seats by a large majority. One of the things which won the hearts 
of the natives for the cabinet was Their saying they did not favor annexation. 

Rep. R. W. Wilcox said he did not want to shut off the member from Lahaina, but 
he had already used up bis extension. Tbe bouse wanted to hear the ministers. He 
had withdrawn his motion of the previous question in order to allow the minister of 
finance to speak, but the latter did not seem disposed to speak. 

Minister Macfarlane said he had been waiting patiently to hear why the cabinet 
should be voted out. but no foreign member had spoken except Noble Thurston. 
That was his reason for his delay. He wished to hear from the foreign members 
w hy this cabinet did not enjoy their confidence. Two weeks ago the ministry had 
been sustained. Since then a general election had been held and the ministry over- 
whelmingly indorsed, no other issue being raised. He had little to say, but would 
refer to some of the statements made by members. The ministry was not being voted 
out because tbe allegations of the resolution were true.' They were known by the 
introducer to be unqualifiedly false. The cabinet was voted out for the same reason 
as two weeks ago. because they would not have them under any consideration. 

One of the charges in the resolution complained of a lack of financial policy. It 
was well known that for the past two weeks the ministry had been incessantly busy 
working on the appropriation bill in order to be able to formulate and lay before the 
house a policy, hoping to keep the expenses within the revenue, but at every step 
they had been thwarted by the men whose sole idea was to rule the country or to ruin 
it. Only three days since he had informed the bouse that he would ask the house to 
refer section 1 of the appropriation bill to tbe printing committee, so that he could 
present it to the house with retrenchments from one end of it to the other, and he 
would have been able to present it in such a shape that it would have been perfectly 
acceptable to the house and country. It was also well known that Her Majesty had 
instructed him to commence with her privy purse. To-day was the day set for him 
to begin. But instead he meets a cut and dried resolution calling on the cabinet to 
go out of office. They wanted no policy, no retrenchment — nothing but the dismis- 
sal of the cabinet. Sneh a policy was damnable, and it would be so viewed that he 
believed that not one of these men would be returned to this house. It had been 
stated by some of the members that the cabinet had sat here doing nothing. No in- 
telligent man could make such a charge. Not one minute had been wasted: $167,000 
had been cut out of the appropriation bill, and he had on his desk six or seven bills, 
all revenue measures. 

Under such circumstances it was not just nor true to say that no financial policy 
was forthcoming. Those measures would have added largely to the revenue. His 
successor would perhaps do better; but when they said the cabinet had no policy 
rhey said what was not true. They wanted no policy from this cabinet. They 
wanted nothing but their scalps. If he had been idle, he had been idle to the further 
extent of putting the assessor's office in order and simplifying it. As to the charge 
that the cabinet was inimical to tbe United States, that was an unqualified false- 
hood, trumped up to rouse feeling. When had he ever placed himself before tbe 
community in such a light that such a charge could be made. It was not true. Tbe 
noble for Maui bad referred to bis alleged animosity and had mentioned the resolu- 
tion introduced three mouths ago. It had seemed to him at that time that the 
words of his excellency the American minister contained an improper reference to 
the affairs of this country. The American minister had disclaimed, and he believed 
the disclaimer to be true. That had not changed his feeling. He was an American 
citizen not from the accident of birth, but because he preferred to be a citizen of 
America rather than of any other country in God's world. If those objections were 
urged against the cabinet because he was a member of it, why had the noble from 
Maui urged him to accept a position in the cabinet two months ago? These charges 
were specious, groundless, untrue, and dastardly ; and those who made them' knew 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



105 



that lie was proud to be an American citizen, and three members of this cabinet 
were American citizens to-day. 

Rep. Smith asked if the minister was not a Hawaiian subject. 

Minister Macfarlane said he was one of the last to take the oath of allegiance, and 
then only on the advice of Minister Merrill that he would not lose his American citi- 
zenship. He was a better American than the member from Lihne was a Hawaiian, 
or he would not be advocating annexation. He believed in annexation and the Ad- 
vertiser was in favor of annexation, and nothing but annexation would satisfy 
them. Two weeks ago these gentlemen were righting for the constitutional prin- 
ciple involved. That is lost sight of now and new charges are trumped up to defeat 
what we have been trying to do in the interests of the country. The gentlemen had 
charged that they were opposed to American interests, and that these struggling in- 
dustries were throttled in their infancy because the cabinet was hostile to the United 
States. That was the veriest bosh and nonsense, and this cabinet would be as able 
to negotiate a treaty as anyone, and the correspondence would prove that, and he 
wished the house might see it. Such statements were simply dust-throwing to 
make it appear that only these gentlemen of the opposition could bring about a 
Treaty with the United States. It had also been stated by the noble from Maui that 
the utterances of the Bulletin were chargeable to the cabinet. Those statements 
were utterly untrue, and the cabinet had no control over that paper whatever. He 
would read, with the permission of the house, the correspondence with the minis- 
ter, which would show that the course of the cabinet had been fully straightforward 
and manly, and not as had been represented by the noble from Maui. The corre- 
spondence was somewhat extended, but it would show the facts. It would be proper 
to have the correspondence read if the house so requested, and he would ask the 
house to request that the correspondence be read. 

Noble Williams moved it be read. 

Noble Thurston said if the minister wished to have the correspondence read he 
must do so on his own responsibility, and not endeavor to shift the responsibility to 
the house. 

Rep. Ashford endorsed the remarks of the last speaker. The minister might read 
it on his own responsibility if he wanted to, but he hoped he would not want to. 
Not that he feared to have anything read, but to judge from the remarks of the pre- 
mier it must be twaddle. 

Rep. Waipuilani thought the minister had no right to read the correspondence. 
In any case the house should be cleared. 

Rep. Kaunamano wished it read. 

Minister Macfarlane said it was somewhat irregular, but he would read it with 
the concurrence of the house and not without. It would show the statements of 
the members of the other side to be false. It would show that the cabinet were in 
no way responsible for the bulletin. 

The president stated that the minister was asking too much of the house. He 
might read it if he chose. 

Minister Macfarlane contended that he might read it if the house asked for it. 

Rep. Ashford. We shan't ask for it. 

Minister Macfarlane. Then you won't hear it, and you don't want to, either. 

Minister Parker asked the minister of finance to give way for a moment. The 
allegation was made here that the cabinet were on unfriendly terms with the Amer- 
ican minister. This correspondence was brought hero to disprove that. If the 
house were not willing to hear the correspondence, then they should strike out the 
corresponding part of the resolution. 

Rep. Kapahu said no amount of talking would change anybody's miud. Noble 
Thurston had expatiated on a quarrel supposed to exist between the cabinet and the 
American minister, but when the corresxiondence was brought in they were scared 
and didn't want it read. This correspondence should be examined. A committee 
should be appointed to examine, into the truth about it. There was nothing in any 
of the charges against the ministry. The opposition were like a man who pulls a 
banana plant up every twenty-four hours to see whether it is growing. It was only 
the other day that when the minister wanted to iix the appropriation bill, this house 
told him to take it and fix it. Now they want to put him out. before he has had a 
chance to do anything about it. This house has no right to tell the attorney-general 
to remove the marshal. This rests with the attorney-general alone. We have no 
right to try public officials for their actions. Much fault has been found with the 
cabinet because they do not put down gambling. Gambling lias gone on under' all 
administrations here. Was.it stopped during the term of office of the noble from 
Maui? No. Therefore the house should not censure the marshal or the cabinet for 
these things now. 

Mr. Neumanx. The cabinet is not on the defeusive, but I will ask if any member 
of this house wishes to speak, for I want to close. It is our right to close this debate, 
and I will give way to anyone who wishes to speak. On behalf of the cabinet, lie 



106 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



could say they would be glad to go out, and wish joy to their successors. [Rep. 
Bush: What, in going* out?] No; in coming in. The house was like a theater, in 
which various motions were brought out; but lie had never felt the emotion of pity 
as he had for the once great, wise, and truthful noble for Maui. He had detailed 
truthfully and eloquently how much the United States had done for us; but his love 
for the United States was like Horace Walpole's gratitude — a lively anticipation of 
future favors. The bounty, however, would not come. He had gloried in the 
strength of the member for Maui, and had looked on him as one of the best and 
most patriotic young men in the country until to-day. 

We will now look at this resolution, and see what sort of language it is written in. 
(The minister then read the second clause of the resolution.) I congratulate his ex- 
cellency the minister of finance that he was important enough to have made so much 
trouble. If you had read as much fiction as I have, you would say that Dumas, who 
wrote the Count of Monte Christo, should hide his head in shame. He is " not in it" 
with Mr. Thurston. Who the brilliant author is I do not know. I suspected at first 
that it came from the facile pen of the member of the Third ward. But it is miles 
above his imagination. If the Legislature should vote this cabinet out on this 
ground, it would be laughed at in Washington. I hope you will not be laughed at. 
I am a Hawaiian by residence, denizenship, and citizenship, and I do not wish harm 
or ridicule to come to the Hawaiian people; and this second clause is dragged in as 
a reason to put this cabinet ouL I am not here in defense of the cabinet. It has 
been said that the cabinet has no policy. Anyone who is not wilfully blind can see 
that it has a policy. It has the policy of economy, of renewing the credit of this 
country abroad. Now, he did not desire to retaliate upon the member from Maui, 
who had robbed him of one of his dearest illusions — his admiration of him, but if 
Hawaiian bonds were ever worth 113 it was none of his doing. The $900,000 in the 
Postal Savings Bank was gone, unaccounted for. 

During his incumbency the treaty which Mr. Carter had brought to perfection 
was rejected. So much for American enmity. By the grace of his late Majesty the 
speaker was made a denizen. He was practically a Hawaiian, but first an Ameri- 
can, and would remain one. Now, however, he proposed to make the interests of 
this country his first care. The want-of-confidence motion was cut and dried or it 
would not have been brought. He did not question the motives of the members who 
A r oted for the cabinet two weeks ago. Some of them had a slight lapse of honesty 
four years ago, when a reform house voted them out of it. He wished them now a 
good digestion of the acquisition. Perhaps the conduct of these members now had 
motives similar to those which actuated them in 1888. He understood that a good 
deal of the persuasion had come from a member who gives luaus, and who has offered 
a member of this house a valuable piece of land. He held himself responsible for 
what he said and he would not be afraid to meet him when he came to him if he was 
in hearing. One of these men was a member of a benevolent society and had not 
turned in the funds which he had collected. He did not propose to leave the sub- 
ject without tearing off the mask, and if the reform party got its support from such 
foul and impure sources, he could only congratulate them. 

It had been strikingly said by his friend the noble from Maui that he would form 
a coalition with the devil, and he had come as near to it as he could when he found 
these two coadjutors. These men when they went back to their constituents would 
wear a blush which would shame the woods on fire. This cabinet was not necessary 
to the prosperity of the country. He could pick out quite as good a one from this 
house, but let the house be honest, strike out the preamble and do not pretend that 
you have any honest reason for the vote. The member from Maui had charged the 
cabinet with raising the sham cry of annexation. Not a word had been said by the 
cabinet on annexation except in reply to what the opposition had advanced, and 
when a fellow ran at the head of a crowd and shouted stop thief, he was usually the 
man who should be locked up. It had been well said that no remarks from anyone 
would change the views of anyone. No amount of talk could move those men who 
had such cogent reasons for changing their minds. 

In regard to the marshal, he wished to thank the members for all their courtesies, 
but he would say that not ten houses could make him do any unjust act — he Avould 
not condemn a man unheard. Mr. Bush's report contained a number of citations 
from encyclopedias, etc., which even he had not read. He had learned more about 
opium from that pamphlet than he had ever known before, but nothing about the 
marshal except a few vague rumors. As to the other opium report, he had been as- 
tonished that there had not been at least a little paltry flame after so much smoke 
and noise. But there was nothing but glimmering ashes. There was nothing in the 
reports on which a rational man could take action. He would say to the gentlemen 
who were going to vote for the resolution, that he could not admire their sense of 
justice. They could not hurt him, for he wanted no position which brought nothing 
but abuse from every quarter. He thanked them for their attention. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



107 



Noble Thurston did not propose to go into details. The attorney-general in a late 
campaign speech had taken occasion to charge him with losing $900,000. The attor- 
ney-general knew that he was speaking an untruth, and he knows it to-night. He 
said the bonds could only be sold for 90. The treasury balance when he took office 
was about $13,000. Bonds could not be sold at any price. Bonds had to be placed 
in England at a cost of $100,000. The treasury balance March 31st, 1888, was $109,- 
465; March 31st, 1890, it was $491,152. Hawaiian Government bonds sold at public 
auction here at 113. The minister wrote to London to buy bonds at par and could 
not get a ny for nearly a year. As to the postal savings bank, the minister of finance's 
report gives every dollar and every cent of expenditure of the funds for that service. 
During" that period $579,000 was received from the bank. (The speaker read a large 
number of items showing that the money was expended in useful public improve- 
ments.) So that when the attorney-general makes such statements lie knows, or 
should know, it was false, and should have the decency to get up and admit it. 
[Attorney-General: I said it had been wasted.] You said it had disappeared, and 
left no record and no trace. 

Attorney-General Neumann asked indulgence of the house to set himself right. 
He had not charged any stealing. The honorable member claimed that there were 
bribes. So there were. Iron pipes resting at Wailuku — an electric plant which was 
almost worthless. (Noble Thurston: And a balance of $491,000 in the treasury.) 
Perhaps he had erred in his figures. The member might have wasted but $600,000. 

Rep. Kamauoha said he had not intended to say anything more, but the attorney- 
general had reflected on the motives of the members. The attorney-general had 
suddenly developed the idea that going to luaus was wrong. What then did he say 
to the luaus given at Waikiki when this resolution was up before. What about the 
little dinners that used to be given at the hotel. Did the attorney-general mean 
to admit that these were given for the purpose of influencing votes? The reason 
of the change of the members was that they had been disappointed in the conduct 
of the cabinet. As for the members going back to their constituents w T ith a blush 
on their cheeks, there would be no need of that, and their chance of being returned 
was a good deal better than the attorney- general's. He would move the previous 
question. 

Rep. Waipuilani said the insinuations of the attorney-general, that certain mem- 
bers had taken bribes, were an insult to the house. (Some sparring took place be- 
tween the member and the attorney-general at this point.) The minister of finance 
had intimated that this resolution had been got up at the luau yesterday. It was 
proposed last week and given to the interpreter to translate. He hoped every mem- 
ber would vote honestly and moved the ayes and noes be taken. 

The motion to indefinitely postpone was lost on the following division : 

Ayes — Nobles Hopkins, .Pua, Peterson, Williams, Maile, Hind, Corn well, andDreir; 
Reps. Pua, Koahou, Kaunamano, Kapahu, White, Kanealii, and Edmonds— 15. 

N-ies — Nobles Ena, Cummins, Kauhane, J. M. Horner, Hoapili, Marsden, Young, 
Baldwin, W. Y. Horner, Walbridge, Anderson, Thurston, G. N. Wilcox, and Kanoa; 
Reps. Wilder, Bipikane, Ashford, Aki, Kauhi, R. W. Wilcox, Bush, Nawahi, A. 
Horner, Kamauoha, Waipuilani, Nahinu, Kaluna, Iosepa, Akina, Smith, and A. S. 
Wilcox— 31. 

Absent— Noble Berger. 

Rep. Nahinu explained his vote. He voted no on account of the registration bill 
and the O. R. & L. Co. bill. 
The motion to adopt the resolution was carried on the same division. 
A motion to reconsider was made and lost. 
The house adjourned at 10 :18 p. m. 



Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 59.] Department of State, 

Washington, October 26, 1892. 
Sir: I have received your dispatch No. 70, of the 8th instant, in rela- 
tion to the political situation in Hawaii. It has been read with much 
interest and attention. 
I am, etc., 

William F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary. 



108 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster; 

[Confidential. | 

No. 72.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, October 31, 1892. 
Sib: In dispatch 71, of October 19, I gave account of the rejection 
of the new cabinet appointed by the Queen in defiance of a previously 
expressed majority of the Legislature. The deadlock continues. 
Though two weeks have elapsed since the decisive action of the Legis- 
lature, no ministers have been designated to nil the vacancies. The 
Tahitian favorite and the Queen still refuse to take the legislative 
majority and the leading business men of the islands into their confi- 
dence. The palace is still thronged and surrounded by the worst 
elements, and the responsible citizens feel that they are not welcomed 
as advisors. The Queen and the Tahitian have made several new 
ministerial slates, with one responsible man and three of the other 
kind; but no responsible man, so far, can be found who will go into the 
cabinet with the three whom only a minority of the Legislature will 
accept. 

Thus there is here, on a small scale, the old historic issue between 
autocracy and parliamentary responsibility. The foreign adventurers 
and renegades stand by the Tahitian favorite because he is the instru- 
ment which they can use, and he adheres to them because he needs 
their support. In the meantime the Legislature is unable to do busi- 
ness and has been in session only a few hours for several weeks. If 
that body holds firm, the Queen will have to yield, and a responsible 
ministry would probably be the result. The ultra-English influence is 
strongly with the half-English Tahitian favorite and the Queen, for the 
one reason only, that the success of the legislative majority would be 
the appointment of a cabinet strongly American in sympathy and pur- 
pose. There are strong reasons for the belief that were it not for the 
presence of the American naval force in the harbor the Tahitian mar- 
shal and his gang would induce the Queen to attempt a coup d'etat by 
proclaiming a new constitution, taking from the legislature the power 
to reject ministerial appointments. 

The recent arrival here from England of T. H. Davies, the head of a 
strong English house in Honolulu, formerly a resident here for many 
years, has served to intensify the ultra-English feeling and to strengthen 
the American sentiment. This T. H. Davies having made himself rich 
under the sugar provisions of the reciprocity treaty, now resides in 
England and has a kind of supervisory care of the half-white Haw aiian 
crown princess, for several years and still at school in England. When 
a resident here at the time the Pearl Harbor provision was pending, 
Davies strongly opposed that provision. He comes now with revived 
zeal against the Pearl Harbor concession. It is not thought that he 
has any encouragement to this course^ from the home Government of 
England, but that his course is his own, and that his zeal is increased by 
the Canadian Pacific Railroad managers, of whom Davies is the agent. 
The desperate efforts of that road to save itself embrace the scheme of 
a cable, and Pacific steamer lines to Australia and China, including the 
design of antagonizing the interests of the United States in these 
islands. This involves the plan of controlling the Hawaiian monarchy 
through the present Queen and her favorite, and especially by having 
in hand the crown princess, the general belief being that the present 
Queen will not live many years. Davies, who has this supervising care 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



109 



of the crown princess in England, is a Tory. Of course tliese facts, so 
apparent to intelligent observers here, are telling on all friends of the 
United States. 

Tlie other of the two principal English commercial houses here, older 
and nearly as wealthy as those of Davies & Go., is thoroughly Ameri- 
canized and stands firmly against the efforts of T. H. Davies, and is 
for the United States on every issue. This house owns several hun- 
dreds of thousands (of dollars worth ?) of property in Iowa and Cali- 
fornia, its head being father-in-law of Gen. Dhnond, the head of the 
United States mint in San Eraneisco. 

Perhaps it is well to state that it is the rumor here that the last re- 
jected cabinet, only holding their places until others are appointed, 
have sent a dispatch to Washington asking the recall of Consul-Gen- 
eral Severance. I do not credit this rumor. But influential parties 
have called at this legation who say that if any such step has been 
taken by this rejected cabinet, the American merchants and business 
men, as well as other leading citizens, will send a strong memorial to 
the Department of State against any such action of a dead ministry. 
I have not encouraged any such action in our behalf, believing it to 
be unnecessary. So far I am supported here by all the responsible 
Americans and others to a degree more than I had the right to expect. 
This so much the more impresses on me the necessity of prudence as 
well as of firmness. To keep the Department of State well informed as 
to affairs here, I deem it well to give these particulars. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



[Later.] 

November 1. 1892. 
Names of the new cabinet sent to the Legislature this morning. 
Resolutions of "want of confidence" passed in one house, and thirty 
minutes after the names of the new ministry were read, and only 13 
votes out of 48 members of whom the Legislature is composed were in 
their favor. The strongest objections are to the minister of foreign 
affairs and to the minister of finance — Joseph Mamohiand William H. 
Corn well — both of them unqualified and very unacceptable to the more 
responsible men of all nationalities. As they will assume to hold their 
places until their successors shall have been appointed, they may at- 
tempt to do some strange things. As Cornwell, for some reason, is 
hostile to the American minister and to the consul-general, would uot 
be surprised should he induce his associates to ask for our recall. 
Possibly they may hold their places one week, as the Legislature has 
adjourned for six days to allow the Queen time to select their suc- 
cessors. 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 61.] Department of State, 

Washington, November -5, 1892. 
Sir : I have received and read with attention your dispatch No. 71, 
of the 19th ultimo, in relation to the Hawaiian political situation. 
I am, etc., 

John W. Eoster. 



110 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

[Confidential.] 

Xo. 62.] Department of State, 

Washington, November 8, 1892. 
Sir: Adverting to your current dispatches in relation to the course 
of political events in the Hawaiian Islands, many of which are marked 
by you " Confidential" and for obvious reasons, I desire to suggest that 
you endeavor to separate your reports into two classes, one of which 
shall aim to give the narrative of public affairs in their open historical 
aspect, and the other to be of a strictly reserved and confidential char- 
acter, reporting and commenting upon matters ofpersonal intrigue and 
the like so far as you may deem necessary for my full understanding of 
the situation. Many of your dispatches combine these two modes of 
treatment to such a degree as to make their publication, in the event of 
a call from Congress or other occasion therefor inexpedient and, 
indeed, impracticable, without extended omissions. 
I am, etc., 

John W. Foster. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 73.] United States Legation. 

Honolulu, Xovemher 8. 1892. 

Sir: The prolonged struggle between the Queen and the Legislature 
has terminated to-day by the triumph of the latter. A new ministry 
has just been appointed, of quite different material from that of its 
several predecessors. Mark P. Eobinson. Foreign Affairs; Peter C. 
Jones. Finance: G. X. Wilcox, Interior; Cecil Brown, Attorney-Gen- 
eral. These are of the responsible men of the islands, none of them 
needing the salaries, all being of comparative wealth, their aggregate 
property being estimated at nearly one million of dollars. Mr. Jones 
is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, in active business here for a 
quarter of a century, though he has lived the past year in his native 
city, having recently returned to Honolulu. 

Wilcox, the wealthiest man of the four, was born on one of the 
islands, of American missionary parentage. Eobinson is the most re- 
spected man of the islands, of mixed blood, three quarters white, born 
here. The first three are strong in American feeling aud purpose. 
Brown, the attorney-general, was born here, of English parentage, and 
is said to be more American than English as to the future of Hawaii. 
It is possible the Tahitian favorite may be continued as marshal for 
the present, but his dictatorship is practically overthrown. The suc- 
cess of the Legislative majority and the appointment of this cabinet are 
regarded as the triumph of the better citizens of Hawaii over the 
worse, and especially a proof of American ascendancy over ultra Eng- 
lish and other anti- American elements and sentiments. This new 
cabinet is justly considered the most positively American there has 
been here since the Reform ministry went out two and a half years 
ago. I am happy to say that my official and personal relations with 
this ministry are likely to be most friendly and cordial. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Ill 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

[Confide tial.l 

No. 74.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, November 20, 1892. 
Sie : Fidelity to the trust imposed on me by the President, the De- 
partment of State, and the Senate, requires that I should make a care- 
ful and full statement of the financial, agricultural, social, and political 
condition of these islands. An intelligent and impartial examination 
of the facts can hardly fail to lead to the conclusion that the relations 
and policy of the United States toward Hawaii will soon demand 
some change, if not the adoption of decisive measures, with the aim 
to secure American interests and future supremacy by encouraging 
Hawaiian development and aiding to promote responsible government 
in these islands. It is unnecessary for me to allude to the deep in- 
terest and the settled policy of the United States Government in re- 
spect of these islands, from the official days of John Quincy Adams 
and of Daniel Webster to the present tiare. In all that period, we 
have avowed the superiority of our interests to those of all other 
nations, and have always refused to embarrass our freedom of action 
by any alliance or arrangement with other powers as to the ultimate 
possession and government of the islands. Before stating the present 
political condition of the little kingdom, it is well to review the sub- 
stantial data as to its area, its resources, its financial and business 
condition, its capabilities of material development, its population, the 
status of its landed property, its government, revenues, and expendi- 
tures, etc. 

PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS. 

The total area of the kingdom is about 6,000 square miles. ]Sot in- 
cluding several small islands of little importance, the chief value of the 
land area is in the six islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, 
and Hawaii, the last named being nearly the size of ail the rest of the 
group. The plains, valleys, and lowlands are fertile, while the high- 
lands are adapted to the raising of extensive herds of cattle, horses, 
and sheep. The arable lands are adapted to the production of sugar, 
coffee, rice, bananas, oranges, lemons, pineapples, grapes and maize. 
Of the arable lands only such as are fitted for the production of sugar 
and rice have been much brought into use. The coffee raised is of 
superior quality, and finds ready market for home consumption and in 
San Francisco. There is no doubt that this product can be greatly 
extended. This opinion is sustained by the examination of experts 
and has been verified by successful results in coffee-raising, to which 
there is now being given special attention. 

The banana culture can be greatly extended, and the opportunities 
for the production of oranges are large and promising. Bipening at a 
time in the year different from those of southern California, the 
Hawaiian oranges can find a ready market in San Francisco, and es- 
pecially in the cities of Oregon and Washington, where these islands 
procure most of their lumber for buildings and fences, and from which 
they procure coal, the consumption of which will necessarily increase 
for use in the sugar mills and the supply of steamers. For a quarter 
of a century the profits of sugar-raising have tended to divert capital 
and enterprise almost exclusively to the cane culture, to the neglect of 
the other industries and interests of the islands. Good government 



112 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



and the building of necessary roads and bridges, the Government as- 
sumption of -the "crown lands," and the conversion of them into small 
homesteads for raising the crops already specified, would speedily 
stimulate general prosperity and increase the American and European 
families and freeholders, and aid to constitute a large number of re- 
sponsible voters, thus giving stability to legislation and government. 

There are nearly 900,000 acres of "crown lands," and these, in the 
main, are among the most valuable of the islands. The rent paid for 
them goes to the sovereign, and the amount of the income received is 
no doubt much less than it would be if these lands were owned and 
managed by private individuals. There have long been more or less 
abuses in the leasing of these lands, and it is well understood that the 
leases have been prolific sources of political favoritism and corruption. 
Well handled and sold at fitting opportunities, the proceeds of the 
crown lands would pay the national debt, provide adequate pensions 
for the two or three royalties, in case monarchy should be abolished, 
and yet leave a balance of considerable amount for a permanent school 
fund. 

COMMERCIAL AND NAVAL IMPORTANCE OF THE ISLANDS. 

The value of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States for commer- 
cial and naval purposes has been well understood by American states- 
men for more than half a century. The examination of the Hawaiian 
harbors and a careful consideration of their capabilities • of defense, 
twenty years since, by Gen. Schofield and naval officers, whose opinions 
are on record in the Washington departments, plainly indicate how 
important these islands and harbors are to the future American com- 
merce of the Pacific. Even to a nonexpert the great value and the easy 
defensibility of the harbors of Pearl City and of Honolulu are unmistak- 
ably obvious. Only six miles from each other, with narrow entrances 
backed by a continuous wall of mountains, each terminus of this natu- 
ral barrier reaching to the sea, at relative^ small expense these harbors 
can be impregnably fortified against all attack by sea and land. The 
harbor of Honolulu can now be entered by ships drawing 30 feet of water. 
But Pearl Harbor is larger and much preferable for naval purposes. It 
is only necessary to deepen the entrance by removing the bar of coral 
formation. This coral obstruction can be removed with comparative 
ease, and the expense would not be large. Opinions of practical men 
here, who have had to do with these coral formations, as well as my 
personal observation, as to how easily it can be broken up by pick and 
crow-bar, go to show how readily it can be removed by modern explo- 
sives and the improved mechanical agencies. 

With a large island between it and the sea, a capacious, safe, and 
beautiful harbor is secured for American commercial and military 
marine just where the future greatness and the necessities of the United 
States imperatively require. Only those who have carefully examined 
the vast resources of the American Pacific States, and considered that 
nearly two-fifths of the immense area of the United States, through the 
transcontinental railways and by rivers and sounds, outlet on the Pa- 
cific, and have studied the data surely pointing to the vast future com- 
merce of this western world, can adequately appreciate the importance 
of these harbors to the American nation, and the necessity of securing 
them against foreign rivals. If we neglect them the present occupants 
must suffer, and their necessities will force them in directions unfriendly 
to American interests. Circumstances are pressing, and no time should 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



113 



be lost in looking- at the facts as they really exist. The strong inclina 
tion of several European powers to gain possession of all the islands in 
the Pacific, except such as are expressly protected by the United States, 
is plainly shown by what has taken place iu recent years. 

The seizure of Gilbert, Johnson, and other islands, in the past few 
months, and what recently transpired in regard to Samoa, emphatically 
show that England certainly has not moderated her poliey in the indi- 
cated regard, to which course the Canadian Government is undoubtedly 
the inspiring cause. The enormous cost of the Canadian Pacific Bail- 
way impels its managers to make the most desperate efforts to secure 
freight and passengers, and hence its aggressive plans to secure Pacific 
epmmerce and to gain political and commercial influence in these islands. 
The scheme of a British cable from Vancouver via Honolulu to Australia, 
as well as to Japan and China, and of establishing commercial and mail 
lines of steamers on the same route, i s not an idle dream. Powerful agen- 
cies are already working to these ends, and to effectively safeguard 
American interests on the Pacific and in these islands there is no time for 
hesitation and delay. If the United States Government does not very 
promptly provide for laying a cable from San Francisco or San Diego 
to Honolulu or Hilo, it may be regarded as certain that a cable will be 
laid by British capital and be controlled by British managers. Pearl 
Harbor for a coaling station and an American cable between California 
and Hawaii are of immediate vital importance to American commercial 
and naval interests and to the maintenance of American influence on 
these islands. 

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ISLANDS. 

A question of vital importance to Hawaii and of American interest 
in and care for its future is that of its government. There has been 
in the last twenty years a great change in the political status of things 
here. Formerly the facts and circumstances appertaining to govern- 
ment on these islands were essentially different from what they are to- 
day. Then the population was chiefly native Hawaiian. The natives 
had long lived under a kind of feudal system, with rigid laws and cus- 
toms, which gave to the numerous chiefs and the King absolute despotic 
power. The wisdom and the religious zeal of the Christian missiona- 
ries enabled them to acquire and exercise a strong influence for good 
over the chiefs and King as- well. Thus a system of government 
and laws was established which was a great improvement on the 
former condition of things. The general good character of the men 
who effectively aided the Hawaiian monarch to carry on the Govern- 
ment for years secured fairly successful administration of law and the 
maintenance of public order at limited cost, the public revenues being 
small. But the numerous Hawaiian chiefs are in their graves. Their 
families are extinct. The original native Hawaiians are now so de 
creased as to number less than two-fifths of the population of the islands. 

The coming to the throne of the late King Kalakaua in 1873 was by 
legislative election, and but for the presence in the harbor and on shore 
p£, American marines and sailors, of the United States vessels of war, he 
would have failed to secure his Crown against a determined mob in the 
interest of another aspirant. The great prosperity of the islands under 
the reciprocity treaty, stimulating the production of sugar, leading to 
a large American, European, and Asiatic immigration, caused a great 
increase of the Government revenues. This prosperous state of things 
also soon resulted in a large increase of the Government expenditures, 
H. Ex. 48—8 



114 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



in the addition of new offices, a large augmentation of salaries, thus 
stimulating the desire for official places and patronage, exciting the 
greed of adventurous and too often unworthy political partisans. Easy 
going, unused to and incapable of safe and economical administration, 
the King, Kalakaua, too often, in his seventeen years of reign, fell into 
the hands of unscrupulous associates and advisers. The Government 
expenditures soon reached figures much above what the area and popu- 
lation of the little Kingdom justified. But so long as the great profits 
of sugar-raising under the American- tariff flowed into the islands, the 
excessive Government expenses could be paid without the principal 
taxpayers very sensibly realizing the burden. 

The adoption of a new constitution in 1887, taking from the King 
much of his former power and establishing legislative and ministerial 
responsibility, effected a beneficial change. But the great reduction of 
the profits of sugar-raising, rendering some of the plantations nearly 
worthless, and greatly lessening the income and market value of the 
others, has brought a condition of affairs which compels all the reflect- 
ing and responsible citizens to see that the present expenses of the 
Government are much beyond what the islands can pay and much 
higher than wise legislation and proper economic administration re- 
quire. But the difficulty of getting out of the old grooves, of scaling 
down salaries, and abolishing useless offices is hard to overcome. 
Nearly one-half of the population of the country have no voice in politi- 
cal affairs, unless exerted through corruption and bribery. The voting 
population is made up of several nationalities — Hawaiian, Portuguese, 
American, English, German, and others, the more intelligent and re- 
sponsible of these generally acting together sufficiently to exercise a 
beneficial influence on legislation" and administration. But the palace 
patronage and influence are still considerable, costing the country more 
than it is able to pay and returning to the country no positive advan- 
tages. 

Directly and indirectly, the palace probably costs the little Kingdom 
$150,000 per year. A governor, at $5,000 a year, acting in harmony 
with the responsible men of the Legislature, would be far better for 
the islands than the present monarchical arrangement. In truth, the 
monarchy here is an absurd anachronism. It has nothing on which it 
logically or legitimately stands. The feudal basis on which it once 
stood no longer existing, the monarchy is now only an impediment to 
good government — an obstruction to the prosperity and progress of the 
islands. Incaimble of comprehending the, principles of constitutional 
government, more likely to take the advice of unworthy counsel than 
of the more competent, the reigning Sovereign insists in dealing with 
what properly belongs to the Legislature and to the ministers. Thus 
the palace is constantly open to superficial and irresponsible courtiers 
and to unprincipled adventurers of different nationalities. Instead of 
exercising a salutary influence on public affairs it is the center of mal- 
administration and of the most vicious kind of politics. It is now, 
and it has been for the last twenty years, and is always likely to be, a 
fruitful source of public demoralization. 

It may be asked, Why do not the people of the islands at once reform 
this state of things? There is a considerable number of intelligent, 
energetic, and excellent citizens, of the different nationalities, in pos- 
session of the elective franchise. They are largely Americanized m 
their opinions and manners. They are sympathetic with American 
institutions. This is so of the Portuguese, the Germans, more or less 
of the English, and of the native Hawaiians and half- whites, as well as 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



115 



of the most of those of American parentage. But these unaided and 
alone can not well make the necessary changes in the existing condition 
Of things. As a crown colouy of Great Britain, or a Territory of the 
United States, the government modifications could be made readily, and 
good administration of the laws secured. Destiny and the vast future 
interests of the United States in the Pacific clearly indicate who, at no 
distant day, must be responsible for the government of these islands. 
Under a territorial government they could be as easily governed as any 
of the existing Territories of the United States. 

The men qualified are here to carry on good government, provided 
they have the support of the Government of the United States. Why 
not postpone American possession? Would it not be just as well for 
the United States to take the islands twenty-five years hence? Facts 
and obvious probabilities will answer both of these interrogatives. 
Hawaii has reached the parting of the ways. She must now take the 
road which leads to Asia, or the other, which outlets her in America, 
gives her an American civilization and binds her to the care of American 
destiny. The non-action of the American Government here in thirty 
years will make of Hawaii a Singapore, or a Hongkong, which could 
be governed as a British colony, but would be unfit to be an American 
Territory or an American State under our constitutional system. If the 
American flag floats here at no distant day, the Asiatic tendencies can 
be arrested and controlled without retarding the material development 
of the islands, but surely advancing their prosperity by diversifying 
and expanding the industries, building roads and bridges, opening the 
public lands to small farmers from Europe and the United States, thus 
increasing the responsible voting population, and constituting a solid 
basis for American methods of government. 

Two-fifths of the people now here are Chinese and Japanese. If the 
present state of things is'allowed to go on the Asiatics will soon largely 
preponderate, for the native Hawaiians are growing less at the rate 
of nearly one thousand per year. At the present prices of sugar, and 
at the prices likely to hold in the future, sugar-raising on these islands 
can- be continued only by the cheapest possible labor — that of the 
Japanese, the Chinese, and the Indian coolies. Americanize the is- 
lands, assume control of the " Crown lands," dispose of them in small 
lots for actual settlers and freeholders for the raising of coffee, oranges, 
lemons, bananas, pineapples, and grapes, and the result soon will be to 
give permanent preponderance to a population and a civilization which 
will make the islands like southern California, and at no distant period 
convert them into gardens and sanitariums, as well as supply stations 
for American commerce, thus bringing everything here into harmony 
with American life and prosperity. To postpone American action 
many years is only to add to present unfavorable tendencies and to 
make future possession more difficult. 

It is proper to consider the following tacts : The present Sovereign 
is not expected to live many years. The princess heir apparent has 
always been, and is likely always to be, under English influence. Her 
father is British in blood and prejudices, firmly intrenched here as col- 
lector of customs, an important and influential office. She has been 
for some years and still is in England ; her patron there, who has a kind 
of guardianship of her, T. H. Davies, is a Tory Englishman, who lived 
here many years, who still owns large property in the islands, and is a 
resolute and persistent opponent of American predominance, bitterly 
denouncing even the American acquisition of Pearl Harbor. Mr. Wode- 
house, the English minister, has long resided here; his eldest son is 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



married to a half-Caste sister of the Grown Princess, another son is in 
the Honolulu post-office, and a daughter also is married to a resident 
of one of the islands. The death of the present Queen, therefore, would 
virtually place an English princess on the Hawaiian throne, and put 
in the hands of the ultra English the patronage and influence of the 
palace. 

Jn the existing state of things, with non- American intervention, 
these palace influences, skillfully handled, are nearly equal, frequently 
superior, to the power of the Legislature. Add to this palace power, 
in British hands, the influence of an adventurous, impecunious, and 
irresponsible mob of "hoodlums," and there results a state of things 
which would put it in the power of Canadian and ultra-British schem- 
ers, with a subsidy fund of 850,000, to secure control of the Legislature, 
and by prompt and vigorous action secure Canadian and British fran- 
chises, privileges, and rights entirely legal, to get rid of which would 
cause embarrassment and expense to the United States and her allies 
here. As is well known to the Department of State, Secretary Marcy, 
with the approval of President Pierce and Cabinet, authorized the ne- 
gotiation of a treaty for making these islands a Territory of the United 
States. Commissioner Gregg was authorized to facilitate the negotia- 
tion by the promise to pay 8100,000 for pensions to the King, chiefs, 
and other official persons, on condition that the sovereignty and prop- 
erty of the islands should be transferred to the United States. 

Commissioner Gregg exceeded his instructions by stipulating to pay, 
in all, three times the sum which Secretary Marcy named in his instruc- 
tions. These terms were deemed onerous and unacceptable by the 
Washington Department of State, and consequently the treaty w r as 
dropped, after all negotiations had been completed, the King finally 
being induced by his Scotch minister of foreign affairs not to sign it, 
though the King and cabinet had previously given their support to 
the spirit and terms of the negotiations and the conclusions reached. 
The embarrassments and objections that then existed as to the number 
of the royal princes and chiefs, the small number of the American pop- 
ulation, the want of ready communication with the United States, and 
distance from Washington, now no longer stand in the way of making 
Hawaii a well-governed and prosperous United States Territory. The 
reasons for annexation in lS5f were certainly much less adequate and 
pressing than they are now. 

THE EXISTEXCt BUSINESS STATUS. 

It is well to consider the existing state of things here resulting from 
the change in the United States sugar tariff. Only personal observa- 
tion and a careful investigation of the facts can give one an adequate idea 
of the severe blow sugar raising here has received. The production of 
sugar being the main business of the islands, the great reduction of 
the market price has affected powerfully the entire affairs and condi- 
tion of the islands. I think it understating the truth to express the 
opiuionthat the loss to the owners of the sugar plantations and mills, 
etc., and the consequent depreciation of other property by the passage 
of the McKinley bill, wise and beneficial as that measure is proving to 
be for the vast interests of the United States, has not been less than 
812,000,000, a large portion of this loss falling on Americans residing 
here and in California. Unless some positive measures of relief be 
granted, the depreciation of sugar property here will continue to go 
on. Wise, bold action by the United States will rescue the property 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



117 



holders from great losses, give the islands a government which will put 
an end to a worse than useless expenditure of a large proportion of 
the revenues of the country, using them for the building of roads and 
bridges, thus helping to develop the natural resources of the islands, 
aiding to diversify the industries and to increase the number of the 
responsible citizens. 

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ? 

One of two courses seems to me absolutely necessary to be followed, 
either bold and vigorous measures for annexation or a "customs union/' 
an ocean cable from the Californian coast to Honolulu, Pearl Harbor 
perpetually ceded to the United States, with an implied but not nec- 
essarily stipulated American protectorate over the islands. I believe 
the former to be the better, that which will prove much the more 
advantageous to the islands, and the cheapest and least embarrassing 
in the end for the United States. If it was wise for the United 
States, through Secretary Marcj^, thirty-eight years ago, to offer to 
expend 1100,000 to secure a treaty of annexation, itcertaiuly can not be 
chimerical or unwise to expend $100,000 to secure annexation in the near 
future. To-day the United States has five times the wealth she pos- 
sessed in 1854, and the reasons now existing for annexation are much 
stronger than they were then. I can not refrain from expressing the 
opinion with emphasis that the golden hour is near at hand. A per- 
petual customs union and the acquisition of Pearl Harbor, with an im- 
plied protectorate, must be regarded as the only allowable alternative. 
This would require the continual presence in the harbor of Honolulu 
of a United States vessel of war and the constant watchfulness of the 
United States minister Avhile the present bungling, unsettled, and 
expensive political rule would go on, retarding the development of the 
islands, leaving at the end of twenty-five years more embarrassment to 
annexation than exists to-day, the property far less valuable, and the 
population less American than they would be if annexation were 
soon realized. 

It may be said that annexation would involve the obligation of pay- 
ing to the Hawaiian sugar-producers the same rate of bounties now 
paid to American producers, thus imposing too heavy a demand on the 
United States Treasury. It is a sufficient answer to this objection to 
say that it could be specifically provided in the terms of annexation 
that the United States Grovernment should pay 6 mills per pound — 
$12 per ton — to the Hawaiian sugar-raisers, and this only so long as 
the present sugar-bounty system of the United States shall be main- 
tained. Careful inquiry and investigation bring me to the conclusion 
that this small bounty would tide the Hawaiian sugar-planters over 
their present alarming condition and save the islands from general 
business depression and financial disaster. Could justice to American 
interests in the islands and care for their future welfare do less than 
this? 

To give Hawaii a highly favorable treaty while she remains outside 
the American Union would necessarily give the same advantages to 
hostile foreigners, those who would continue to antagonize our com- 
mercial and political interests here, asAvell as those of American blood 
and sympathies. It is a well authenticated fact that the American 
sentiment here in 1890, the last year of the great prosperity under the 
sugar provisions of the reciprocity treaty, was much less manifest than 
before that treaty had gone into effect, and less pronounced than when 



118 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Secretary Marcy authorized the negotiation of the annexation treaty in 
1854. It is equally true that the desire here at this time for annexa- 
tion is much stronger than in 18S9. Besides, so long as the islands re- 
tain their own independent government there remains the possibility 
that England or the Canadian Dominion might secure one of the Ha- 
waiian harbors for a coaling station. Annexation excludes all dangers 
of this kind. 

Which of the two lines of policy and action shall be adopted our 
statesmen and our GoA^ernment must decide. Certain it is that the 
interests of the United States and the welfare of these islands will not 
permit the continuance of the existing state and tendency of things. 
Having for so many years extended a helping hand to the islands and 
encouraged the American residents and their friends at home to the 
extent we have, we can not refrain now from aiding them with vigor- 
ous measures, without injury to ourselves and those of our "kith and 
kin" and without neglecting American opportunities that never seemed 
so obvious and pressing as they do now. I have no doubt that the 
more thoroughly the bed rock and controlling facts touching the Hawaiian 
problem are understood by our Government and by the American pub- 
lic, the more readily they will be inclined to approve the views I have 
expressed so inadequately in this communication. 
I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

John L. Stevens. 

Hon. John W. Foster, 

Secretary of State. 

Note. — On the following pages will be found statistics from the 
Hawaiian census reports of 1890, touching the population, the different 
nationalities, the principal property owners, the amount of Government 
revenues and expenditures, Government property, etc., which will help 
elucidate the vie^s I have expressed in the preceding pages. 

J. L. S. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 75.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, November 28, 1892. 

Sir: Your dispatch No. 02 of November 8 received. Herealter I 
will comply as nearly as practicable with your suggestion that I sep- 
arate my reports into two classes, one of an, " open historical aspect" 
and the other of a "strictly reserved and confidential character.' 1 

My dispatch 74, marked confidential, was written and copied before 
your 02 was received. The reason why I have deemed it necessary to 
consider most of my dispatches confidential is because of the peculiar 
state of things here. Anything which gets out in Washington in rela- 
tion to aflairs here is sure at once to be taken up by San Francisco 
papers, some of which are highly sensational. These newspapers are 
Drought here in large numbers by the mail steamer, not followed by 
another usually before two weeks. Thus a falsehood or misrepresenta- 
tion stands here unrefuted for two weeks, doing mischief. 

So far the new cabinet holds well and gives satisfaction to the 
responsible men of the islands. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 119 

Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

No. Go.] Department of State, 

Washington, December 1, 1892. 
Sit? : I have to acknowledge the receipt of dispatches numbered 
47-73 and 53 B. 
I am ; etc., 

John W. Foster. 



Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 67.] Department of State, 

Washington, December 23, 1892. 
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 74, of 
the 20th of November, marked u confidential," relative to the financial 
and political condition of Hawaii, which has been read with interest. 
I am, etc., 

John W. Foster. 



Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 68.] Department of State, 

Washington, December 23, 1892. 
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 75, of 
the 28th ultimo, regarding confidential dispatches. 
1 am, sir, 

John W. Foster. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

[Telegram.] 

Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, H. I., January 18, 1893. 
Events in Hawaii in the past few days have moved rapidly. An 
entire overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the establishment of 
a provisional government in the interest of the whole people of the 
islands, without the sacrifice of a single life. The new Government is 
in full possession of the islands and was promptly recognized by all 
the diplomatic representatives. The four men of whom it is composed 
are of high character, one of whom resigned his position as one of the 
supreme judges to assume the place. Full dispatches by the mail 
leaving Honolulu to-day by special steamer. 

Stevens, 
United States Minister. 



120 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 79.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, January 18, 1893. 

Sir : In niy 73, of November 8, I gave full information of the sur- 
render of the Queen to the wishes of the Legislature by the formation 
of a ministry composed of men of intelligence and wealth, possessing 
the entire confidence of the business men and the more responsible citi- 
zens of the country. But this surrender of the Queen and of those 
surrounding her was only seeming. As soon as the principal appro- 
priations had been voted and the legislative work was nearly concluded, 
several of the best members having already left for their homes, a 
remarkable conspiracy was revealed. 

The undersigned, for the first time since he has been at the head of 
this legation, January 4 took passage for Hilo and the volcano on the 
U. S. S. Boston for the benefit of the health of himself and of his 
daughter, it being also desirable that the town of the second impor- 
tance in the islands should have this attention at the time the Boston 
was making a visit to Hawaii, the chief island in the group. Beyond 
all doubt, immediately after the Boston and myself had left Honolulu 
the unscrupulous adventurers around the Queen improved the oppor- 
tunity to push through the Legislature an astounding lottery franchise 
with the obvious intent to sell it out to the Louisiana lottery men. 
This was worked by some of the same parties supposed to be of the 
powerful opium ring whose four points of operation are Vancouver, 
San Francisco, Honolulu, and Hongkong. They distributed the lot- 
tery stock among the native members of the Legislature in large figures. 

Notwithstanding the strong opposition of all the best people of the 
islands, including whites and natives, and the emphatic opposition of 
the chamber of commerce, the Queen and her palace favorite gave their 
warmest support to the lottery bill and signed it at once. She was to 
be immediately compensated by being allowed to proclaim a new con- 
stitution, restoring to the Crown the old despotic prerogatives in direct 
violation of the existing constitution, which provides for the only mode 
of change, which is by the action of successive legislatures. 

Eeturning on the Boston from our Hilo trip on the 14th instant, we 
found the Legislature ay as to be prorogued at 12 a. m., one-half hour 
after my arrival at the legation. The prorogation completed, members 
of the Legislature, diplomatic corps, judges of the supreme court, 
and other officials went to the palace by invitation. In the meantime 
it began to be known in public circles the Queen's intention to proclaim 
the revolutionary constitution. This resulted in raising an excitement 
which alarmed her confidants and caused some of them to draw back. 
This consumed time, so that she could not secure the signatures of her 
new cabinet as she had expected. In the meantime the diplomatic 
corps grew weary and left the palace, realizing that the invitation to 
be present was a trick. 

As I had just returned, weary from my voyage, I had not received 
the invitation, the chamberlain knowing I was absent when he invited 
the English, Portuguese, French, and Japanese diplomatic representa- 
tives the day before. In the short meanwhile I had suspicioned the 
trick. Finally, the Queen appeared in the throne room, before the 
supreme judges and other officials, in an extreme passion of anger, and 
avowed her purpose to postpone her revolutionary constitution for a 
brief period, and then went upon the balcony and spoke with great 
passion in the same strain to those around the palace, principally her 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



121 



retainers and the royal guard, her determination to proclaim her con- 
stitution at another time. What I have described as to the lottery 
legislation, the forcing out of the responsible cabinet of Kovember 8 
and appointing the lottery cabinet, two of whom had been voted out of 
the ministry during the legislative session by a two-thirds vote for the 
best of reasons. It was the lottery bribe and the autocratic design of 
the Queen that quickly precipitated events. 

A mass meeting of "the citizens was called to meet on Monday, the 
10th, at 2 p. m., which assembled in the largest hall in the city. Short 
as was the notice, over 1,300 of the principal citizens of Honolulu and 
from other islands, who happened to be in the city, were m attendance. 
This meeting included merchants, bankers, professional men, the prin- 
cipal business men, and the mechanics, the chief German and some of 
the leading English merchants and other nationalities, as well as Amer- 
ican residents. It is said such an assemblage was never before equaled 
in Honolulu. Intelligent American visitors here say that such a public 
meeting would do credit to a meeting of a similar class of citizens in our 
best American cities. 

The assemblage was a unit in feeling and purpose. The speeches and 
resolutions are on the printed slips I herewith inclose. This remark- 
able uprising of the best citizens, including nearly all of the chief prop- 
erty holders, the Tahitian marshal and palace favorite did not dare at- 
tempt to suppress. A committee of public safety was at once created 
to meet the emergency and to. prevent anarchy and riot. It was for- 
tunate that the Boston was in the harbor. The committee on public 
safety called on me for aid. I promptly addressed to the commander 
of the Boston, Oapt. G. S. Wiltse, the following note : 

United States Legation, 

Honolulu, January 16, 1893. 
Sir: In view of the existing critical circumstances in Honolulu, including an in- 
adequate legal force, I request you to land marines and sailors from the ship under 
your command for the protection of the United States legation and United States 
consulate, and to secure the safety of American life and property. „ 
Very truly, yours, 

John L. Stevens, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. 

Capt. G. C. Wiltse, 

Commander U. S. S. Boston. 

A copy of the call of the committee of public safety for aid is in- 
closed. 

Promptly the men from the Boston were landed. Detachments were 
placed around the legation and the consulate, the principal members 
having marched to a central hall for shelter and headquarters; the 
night being at hand, the public anxiety being especially strong as to 
what might be done by irresponsible persons in the night, the landing 
of the men of the Boston so promptly gave immediate relief to the public 
anxiety. 

As soon as practicable a Provisional Government was constituted, 
composed of four highly respectable men, with Judge Dole at the head, 
he having resigned his place on the supreme bench to assume this re- 
sponsibility. He was born in Honolulu, of American parentage, edu- 
cated here and in the United States, and is of the highest reputation 
among all citizens, both natives and whites. P. C. Jones is a native of 
Boston, Mass., wealthy, possessing property interests in the islands, 
and a resident here for many years. The other two members are of 
the highest respectability. The committee of public safety forthwith 



122 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



look possession of the Government buildings, archives, and treasury, 
and installed the Provisional Government at the heads of the respective 
departments. This being an accomplished fact, I promptly recognized 
the Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Ha- 
Avaiian Islands. The English minister, the Portuguese charge d'affaires, 
the French and the Japanese commissioners promptly did the same; 
these, with myself, being the only members of the diplomatic corps 
residing here. 

All is quiet here now. Without the sacrifice of a single life this 
change of government has been accomplished. Language can hardly 
express the enthusiasm and the profound feeling of relief at this peace- 
ful and salutary change of government. The underlying cause of this 
profound feeling among the citizens is the hope that the United States 
Government will allow these islands to pass to American control and 
become American soil. A commission of citizens, duly accredited, will 
go by the steamer that takes this dispatch to Washington, to state the 
wishes of the Provisional Government and of the responsible people of 
the islands, and to give a complete account of the existing state of 
things here. 

It is proper that I should add, that the presence of the Boston here 
has been of the highest importance, and the behavior of officers and 
men has been admirable. Oapt. ATiltse has exercised prudence and 
great firmness, while he and the undersigned have recognized only 
accomplished facts and have not allowed the use of the United States 
force for any but the most conservative reasons. 
I am, sir, 

John L. Stevens. 

Written copy by future mail. 

S. 



[Inclosure 1 in No. 79.] 
PROCLAMATION. 

In its earlier history Hawaii possessed a constitutional government honestly and 
economically administered in the public interest. 

The Crown called to its assistance as advisers able, honest, and conservative men, 
whose integrity was unquestioned even by their political opponents. 

The stability of the Government was assured, armed resistance and revolution un- 
thought of, popular rights were respected, and the privileges of the subject from 
time to time increased and the prerogatives of the sovereign diminished by the vol- 
untary acts of the successive Kings. 

With very few exceptions this state of affairs continued until the expiration of 
the first few years of the reign of His late Majesty Kalakaua. At this time a change 
was discernible in the spirit animating the Chief Executive and in the influences sur- 
rounding the throne. A steadily increasing disposition was manifested on the part 
of the King to extend the royal prerogatives; to favor adventurers and persons of 
no character or standing in the community; to encroach upon the rights and privi- 
leges of the people by steadily increasing corruption of electors, and by means of 
the power and influence of officeholders and other corrupt means to illegitimately 
influence the elections, resulting in the final absolute control of not only the execu- 
tive and legislative, but to a certain extent the judicial departments of the Govern- 
ment in the interests of absolutism. 

This finally resulted in the revulsion of feeling and popular uprising of 1887, 
which wrested from the King a large portion of his ill-gotten powers. 

The leaders of this movement were not seeking personal aggrandizement, political 
power, or the suppression of the native Government. If this had been their object 
it could easily have been accomplished, for they had the absolute control of the 
situation. 

Their object was to secure responsible Government through a representative cabi- 
net, supported by and responsible to the people's elected representatives. A clause 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



123 



to this effect was inserted in the constitution, and subsequently enacted by law by 
the Legislature, specifically covering the ground that in all matters concerning the 
state the sovereign was to act by and with the advice of the cabinet, and only by 
and -with such advice. 

The King willingly agreed to sucb proposition, expressed regret for the past, and 
volunteered promises for the future. 

Almost from the date of such agreement and promises up to the time of his death 
the history of the Government has been a continual struggle between the 'King on 
the one hand and the cabinet and Legislature on the other, the former constantly 
endeavoring by every available form of influence and evasion to ignore his promises 
and agreements and regain his lost powers. 

This conflict upon several occasions came to a crisis, followed each time by submis- 
sion on the part of His Majesty, by renewed expressions of regret and promises to 
abide by the constitutional and legal restrictions in the future. In each instance 
such promise was kept until a further opportunity presented itself, when the con- 
flict was renewed in defiance and regardless of all previous pledges. 

Upon the accession of Her Majesty Liliuokalani, for a brief period the hope pre- 
vailed that anew policy would be adopted. This hope was soon blasted by her imme- 
diately entering into conflict with the existing cabinet, who held office with the 
approval of a large majority of the Legislature, resulting in the triumph of the 
Queen and the removal of the cabinet. The appointment of a new cabinet sub- 
servient to her wishes and their continuance in office until a recent date gave no 
opportunity for further indication of the policy which would be pursued by Her 
Majesty until the opening of the Legislature in May of 1892. 

The recent history of that session has shown a stubborn determination on the part 
of Her Majesty to follow the tactics of her late brother and in all possible ways to 
secure an extension of the royal prerogatives and an abridgment of popular rights. 

During the latter part of the session the Legislature was replete with corruption; 
bribery and other illegitimate influences were openly utilized to secure the desired 
end, resulting in the final complete overthrow of all opposition and the inauguration 
of a cabinet arbitrarily selected by Her Majesty in complete defiance of constitu- 
tional principles and popular representation. 

Notwithstanding such result the defeated party peacefully submitte'd to the situa- 
tion. 

Not content with her victory Her Majesty proceeded on the last day of the session 
to arbitrarily arrogate to herself the right to promulgate a new constitution, which 
proposed, among other things, to disfranchise over one-fourth of the voters and the 
owners of nine-tenths of the private property of the Kingdom, to abolish the elected 
upper house of the Legislature and to substitute in place thereof an appointive one, 
to be appointed by the Sovereign. 

The detailed history of this attempt and the succeeding events in connection there- 
with is given in the report of the committee of public safety to the citizens of Hon- 
olulu and the resolution adopted at the mass meeting held on the 16th instant, the 
correc tness of which report and the propriety of which resolution is hereby specific- 
ally affirmed. 

The constitutional evolution indicated has slowly and steadily, though reluctantly 
and regretfully, convinced an overwhelming majority of the conservative and 
responsible members of the community that independent, constitutional, representa- 
tive, and responsible government, able to protect itself from revolutionary uprisings 
and royal aggression, is no longer possible in Hawaii under the existing system of 
government. 

Five uprisings or conspiracies against the Government have occurred within five 
years and seven months. It is firmly believed that the culminating revolutionary 
attempt of last Saturday will, unless radical measures are taken, wreck our already 
damaged credit abroad and precipitate fo final ruin our already overstrained finan- 
cial condition; and the guaranties of protection to life, liberty, and property will 
steadily decrease and the political situation rapidly grow worse. 

In this belief, and also in the firm belief that the action hereby taken is and will 
be for the best personal, political, and property interests of every citizen of the 
land — 

We, citizens and residents of the Hawaiian Islands, organized and acting for the 
public safety and the common good, hereby proclaim as follows: 

(1) The Hawaiian monarchial system of government is hereby abrogated. 

(2) A Provisional Government for the control and management of -public affairs 
and the protection of the public peace is hereby established, to exist until terms of 
union with the United States of America have been negotiated and agreed upon. 

(3) Such Provisional Government shall consist of an executive council of four 
members, who are hereby declared to be Sanford B. Dole, James A. King, Peter C. 
Jones, William O. Smith, who shall administer the executive departments of the 
Government, the first named acting as president and chairman of such council and 



124 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



administering the department of foreign affairs, and the others severally adminis- 
tering the departments of interior, finance, and attorney-general, respectively, in 
the order in which they are above enumerated, according to existing Hawaiian law 
as far as may be consistent with this proclamation ; and also of an advisory council, 
which shall consist of fourteen members, who are hereby declared to be S. M. Da- 
mon, L. A. Thurston, J. Emmeluth, J. H. McCandlass, F. W. McChesney, W. P. 
Castle, W. C. Wilder, A. Brown, J. F. Morgan, H. Waterhouse. E. D. Termey, F. 
Wilhelm, W. G. Ashley, C. Bolte. Such advisory -council shall also have general 
1 egislati ve authori ty. 

Such executive and advisory council shall, acting jointly, have power to remove 
any member of either council and to fill such or any other vacancy. 

(4) All officers under the existing Government are hereby requested to continue to 
exercise their functions and perform the duties of their respective offices, with the 
exception of the following-named persons : Queen Liliuokalani ; Charles B. Wilson, 
marshal; Samuel Parker, minister of foreign affairs; W. H. Cornwell, minister of 
finance; John F. Colburn, minister of the interior; Arthur P. Peterson, attorney- 
general; who are hereby removed from office. 

(5) All Hawaiian laws and constitutional jmnciples not inconsistent herewith 
shall continue in force until further order of the executive and advisory couucils. 

Henry E. Cooper. 
Andrew Brown. 
J. A. McCandless. 
Theodore F. Lansing. 
Joiin Emmeluth. 
C Bolte. 
Ed. Suhr. 

Henry Waterhouse. 
W. C. Wilder. 
F. W. McChesney. 
William 0. Smith. 



[In closure 2 in No. 79.] 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 17, 1893. 

Sir: The undersigned, members of the executive and advisory councils of the 
Provisional Government this day established in Hawaii, hereby state to you that 
for the reasons set forth in the proclamation this day issued, a copy of which is 
herewith inclosed for your consideration, the Hawaiian monarchy has been abro- 
gated and a Provisional Government established in accordance with the said above- 
mentioned proclamation. 

Such Provisional Government has been proclaimed, is now in possession of the 
Government dejmrtmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and is in con- 
trol of the city. We hereby request that you will, on behalf of the United Slates 
of America, recognize it as the existing de facto Government of the Hawaiian 
Islands, and afford to it the moral support of your Government, and, if necessary, 
the support of American troops to assist in preserving the public peace. 
AVe have the honor to remain your obedient servants. 

Sanford B. Dole. 
J. A. King. 
P. C. Jones. 
William O. Smith. 
S. M. Dawson. 
John Emmeluth. 
F. W. McChesney. 
W. C. Wilder. 
J. A. McCandless. 
Andrew Brown. 
J as. F. Morgan. 
Henry Water house . 

E. D. Tenney. 

F. J. Wilhelm. 
W. G. Ashley. 
C. Bolte. 



His Excellency John L. Stevens, 

United States Minister Resident, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



125 



[Inclosure 3 in No. 79.] 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 17, 1S93. 

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
[Order No. 1.] 

All persons favorable to the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands are 
hereby requested to forthwith report to the Government at the Government build- 
ings and to furnish to the Government snch arms and ammunition as they may have in 
their possession or control as soon as possible, in order that efficient and complete 
protection of life and property and the public peace may immediately and efficiently 
be put in operation. 

Sanford B. Dole, 
J. A. King, 
P. C. Jones, 
William O. Smith, 
Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

John Emmeluth, 

Andrew Brown, 

C. Bolte, 

James F. Morgan, 

Henry Waterhouse, 

S. M. Damon, 

W. G. Ashley, 

E. D. Tenney, 

F. W. McChesney, 
W. C. Wilder, 

Advisory Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, 



[Inclosure 4 in No. 79.] 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 17, 1893. (Issued 6 p. in.) 

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
[Order No. 2.] 

It is hereby ordered and decreed that until further ordered, the right of the writ 
of habeas corpus is hereby suspended and martial law is hereby declared to exist 
throughout the island of Oahu. 

Sanford B. Dole, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs, 
J. A. King, 
Minister of Interior, 

P. C. Jones, 
Minister of Finance, 
William O. Smith, 

Attorney -Gen era I , 

Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 



[Inclosure 5 in No. 79.] 
[Daily Pacific Commercial Advertiser, January 17, 1893.] 

MASS MEETING — CITIZENS DETERMINED TO RESIST AGGRESSION — AN ENTHUSIASTIC 
GATHERING AT THE RIFLES' ARMORY PROTESTS AGAINST THE REVOLUTIONARY 
ATTITUDE OF THE QUEEN — RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AND THE COMMITTEE OF 
PUBLIC SAFETY AUTHORIZED TO TAKE FURTHER STEPS. 

At 2 p. m. yesterday the Honolulu Rides' armory was the scene of one of the largest 
and most enthusiastic mass meetings ever held in Honolulu. It was called by the 
committee of public safety for the purpose of protesting against the revolutionary 
aggressions of the Queen. At 1.30 citizens began to assemble, and before 2 o'clock 
the large building was crowded to its utmost capacity, 1,260 being present, by actual 
count, while many others came later. Every class in the community was fully rep- 
resented, mecbanics, merchants, professional men, and artisans of every hind being 



126 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



present in full force. The meeting was intensely enthusiastic, being animated "by a 
common purpose and feeling, and most of the speakers were apjdauded to the echo. 
Hon. W. C. Wilder, of the committee of safety, was the chairman. 

Mr. Wilder said : Fellow citizens, 1 haA r e been requested to act as chairman of the 
meeting. Were it a common occurrence, I would consider it an honor, hut to-day 
we are not here to do honor to anybody. I accept the chairmanship of this meeting 
as a duty. [Ax>plause. ] We meet here to-day as men — not as any party, faction, or 
creed, but as men who are bound to see good government. It is well known to you 
all what took place at the palace last Saturday. I need not tell you the object of this 
meeting, and no such meeting has been held since 1887. There is the same reason 
now as then. An impromptu meeting of citizens was called Saturday to take meas- 
ures for the public safety. The report of the committee will be read to you. We do 
not meet as revolutionists, but as peaceful citizens who have the right to meet and 
state their grievances. [Loud applause.] We will maintain our rights and have 
courage to maintain them. [Universal cheers.] 

Noble Thurston being introduced by the chairman read the report of the commit- 
tee of safety. 

" REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 

< ( To the citizens of Honolu lu : 

" On the morning of last Saturday, the 14th instant, the city was startled by the 
information that Her Majesty Queen Liliuokalani had announced her intention to 
arbitrarily promulgate a new constitution, and that three of the newly-appointed 
cabinet ministers had, or were about to, resign in consequence thereof. 

" Immediately after the prorogation of the Legislature at noon the Queen, accom- 
panied, by her orders, by the cabinet, retired to the palace; the entire military force 
of the Government was drawn up in line in front of the building, and remained 
there until dark, and a crowd of several hundred native sympathizers with the new- 
constitution project gathered in the throne room and about the palace. The Queen 
then retired with the cabinet, informed them that she had a new constitution ready, 
that she intended to promulgate it, and proposed to do so then and there, and de- 
manded that they countersign her signature. 

" She turned a deaf ear to their statements and protests that the proposed action 
would inevitably cause the streets of Honolulu to run red with blood, and threat- 
ened that uuless they complied with her demand she would herself immediately go 
out upon the steps of the palace and announce to the assembled crowd that the 
reason she did not give them the now constitution was because the ministers would 
not let her. Three of the ministers, fearing mob violence, immediately withdrew 
and returned to the Government building. They were immediately summoned back 
to the palace, but refused to go on the ground that there was no guaranty of their 
personal safety. 

" The only forces under the control of the Government are the household guards 
and the police. The former are nominally under the control of the minister of 
foreign affairs and actually under the control of their immediate commander, Maj. 
Nowlein, a personal adherent of the Queen. 

"The police are under the control of Marshal Wilson, the open and avowed royal 
favorite. Although the marshal is nominally under the control of the attorney- 
general, Her Majesty recently announced in a public speech that she would not allow 
him to be removed. Although the marshal now states that he is opposed to the 
Queen's proposition, he also states that if tbe final issue arises between the Queen 
and the cabinet and the people he will support the Queen. 

"The cabinet was absolutely powerless and appealed to citizens for support. 

"Later they reluctantly returned to the palace, by request of the Queen, and for 
nearly two hours she again endeavored to force them to acquiesce in her desire, and 
upon their liual refusal announced in a public speech in the throne room and again 
from the upper gallery of the palace that she desired to issue the constitution, but 
was prevented from doing so by her ministers and would issue it in a few days. 

"The citizens responded to the appeal of -the cabinet to resist the revolutionary 
attempt of the Queen, by gathering at the office of William O. Smith. 

"Late in the afternoon it was felt that bloodshed and riot were imminent; that 
the community could expect no protection from the legal authorities.; that, on the 
contrary, they would undoubtedly be made the instruments of royal aggression. 
An impromptu meeting of citizens was held, which was attended by the attorney- 
general, and which was addressed, among others, by the minister of the interior, 
J. F. Colburn, who stated to the meeting substantially the foregoing facts. 

"The meeting unanimously passed a resolution that the public welfare required 
the appointment of a committee of public safety of thirteen, to consider the situa- 
tion and devise ways and means for the maintenance of the public peace and the 
protection of life and property. 

" Such a committee was forthwith appointed and has followed its instructions. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



127 



"The first step which the committee consider necessary is to secure openly, pub- 
licly, and peaceably, through the medium of a mass meeting of citizens, a condem- 
nation of the proceedings of' the party of revolution and disorder, and a confirmation 
from such larger meeting of the authority now vested in the committee. 

"For such purpose the committee hereby recommends the adoption of the follow- 
ing resol ution : 

' ' RESOLUTION. 

"1. Whereas Her Majesty Liliuokalani, acting in conjunction with certain other 
persons, has illegally and unconstitutionally and against the advice and consent of 
the lawful executive officers of the Government, attempted to abrogate the existing 
constitution and proclaim a new one in subversion of the rights of the people; 

" 2, And whereas such attempt has been accompanied by threats of violence and 
bloodshed and a display of armed force, and such attempt and acts and threats are 
revolutionary and treasonable in character; 

"3. And whereas Her Majesty's cabinet have informed her that such contemplated 
action was unlawful and would lead to bloodshed and riot and have implored and 
demanded of her to desist from and renounce such proposed action; 
' "4. And whereas such advice has been in vain, and Her Majesty has in a public 
speech announced that she was desirous and ready to promulgate such constitution, 
the same being now ready for such purpose, and that the only reason why it was not 
now promulgated was because she had met with unexpected obstacles and that a 
fitting opportunity in the future must be awaited for the consummation of such 
object, which would be within a few days; 

"5. And whereas at a public meeting of citizens held in Honolulu on the 14th day 
of January instant a committee of thirteen to be known as the 'committee of public 
safety ' was appointed to consider the situation and to devise ways and means for the 
maintenance of the public peace and safety and the preservation of life and property ; 

" 6. And whereas such committee has recommended the calling of this mass meet- 
ing of citizens to protest against and condemn such action, and has this day pre- 
sented a report to such meeting denouncing the action of the Queen and her sup- 
porters as being unlawful, unwarranted, in derogation of the rights of the people, 
endangering the peace of the community, and tending the excite riot and cause the 
loss of life and destruction of property: 

"Kow, therefore, we, the citizens of Honolulu of all nationalities and regardless 
of political party affiliations, do hereby condemn and denounce the action of the 
Queen and her supporters; 

''And we do hereby ratify the appointment and indorse the action taken and re- 
port made by the said committee of safety; and we do hereby further empower such 
committee to further consider the situation and further devise such ways and means 
as may be necessary to secure the permanent maintenance of law and order and the 
protection of life, liberty, and property in Hawaii." 

Mr. Thurston said : Mr. Chairman, Ha waii is a wonderful country. We are divided 
into parties and nationalities and factions, but there are moments when we are 
united and move shoulder to shoulder, moved by one common desire for the public 
good. Three times during the past twelve years this has happened — in 1880, 1887, 
and to-day. They say it is ended, it is done, there is nothing to consider. Is it so? 
[Calls of no! no!] I say, gentlemen, that now and here is the time to act. [Loud 
cheers.] The Queen says she won't do it again. [Cries of humbug.] Fellow-citi- 
zens, have you any memories? Hasn't she once before promised — sworn solemnly 
before Almighty God to maintain this constitution? What is her word worth? 
[Calls of nothing ! nothing !] It is an old saying that a royal promise is made to 
he broken. Fellow-citizens, remember it. We have not sought this situation. Last 
Saturday the sun rose on a peaceful and smiling city; to-day it is otherwise. 

Whose fault is it? Queen Liliuokalani's. It is not her fault that the streets have 
not run red with blood. She has printed a proclamation and at the same time, per- 
haps sent out by the same carriers, her organ prints an extra with her speech with 
bitterer language than in the Advertiser. She wants us ^o sleep on a slumbering 
volcano which will one morning spew out blood and destroy us all. The constitu- 
tion gives us- the right to assemble peacefully and express our grievances. We are 
here doing that to-day without arms. The man who has not the spirit to rise after 
the menaces to our liberties has no right to keep them. Has the tropic sun cooled 
and thinned our blood, or have we flowing in our veins the warm, rich blood which 
loves liberty and dies for it? I move the adoption of the resolution. 

[Tumultuous applause.] 

Mr. H. F. Glade. The Queen has done an unlawful thing in ignoring the consti- 
tution which she had sworn to uphold. We most decidedly protest against such 
revolutionary proceeding, and we should do all we possibly can to prevent her from 
repeating actions which result in disorder and riot. We now have a promise from 
the Queen that proceedings as we experienced on Saturday shall not occur again; 
but we should have such assurances and guaranties for this promise that will really 



128 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



satisfy us and convince us of the faith and earnestness of the promise given, of which 
we now have no assurance. What such guaranties and assurances ought to he I 
can not at this moment say or recommend. This should be referred to the committee 
of safety for their careful consideration. I second the motion. 
Mr. Young, in addressing the meeting, spoke as follows: 

Mr. Chairman and fellow-citizens : In June, 1887, 1 stood on this same platform and 
addressed an audience almost as large as the one uow hefore me. At that time we 
had met to consider a resolution that looked toward a new constitution, which pro- 
posed constitution was considered the most effectual method of removing some fla- 
grant abuses in governmental affairs, practiced by the King and his cabinets. The 
constitution was. promulgated. To-day we have met to consider the action of Her 
Majesty in attempting to set aside the constitution we all worked so hard to have 
promulgated, in the lost interests of the Sovereign and the people at large, as well 
as for the redemption of the credit of the Kingdom abroad. It has long been re- 
ported that at some favorable opportunity the Queen would spring a new constitu- 
tion upon the people and place matters even more in the hands of the Sovereign 
than they were before the revolution of 1887. Some did not believe the rumors, but 
the actions of the Queen in the last few days have convinced the most skeptical that 
the rumors were well founded and that she had been pregnant with this unborn 
constitution for a long time; but it could not be born till under the propitious star. 

In trying to promulgate this long-promised constitution the Queen has therefore 
premeditately committed a breach of faith with one portion of her subjects in order 
to satisfy the clamors of a faction of natives urged by the influence of a mischievous 
element of .foreigners who mean no good to the Queen or the people, but simply for 
the purpose of providing avenues for carrying out more perfectly the smuggling of 
opium and diverting the contents of the treasury into their own pockets. A by- 
authority circular has now been handed around setting forth that the Queen and 
her cabinet had decided not to press the promulgation of a new constitution ; but can 
we depend on this promise of Her Majesty ? Is this promise any more binding upon 
her than the oath she took before Almighty God to support and maintain the present 
constitution f Has not the Queen resorted to her questionable methods in an under- 
handed way to remove what, to the people, was one of the most acceptable cabinets 
ever (Commissioned by any sovereign in this Kingdom, in order that four other 
ministers might be appointed that would carry out her behest, treasonable or other- 
wise, as might be most conveniently within their scope? 

I say, have we any reasonable assurance that the Queen and her ministers have 
abandoned finally the new constitution promulgation scheme ! [Roars of ''No'' from 
the audience.] My fellow citizens, while the Queen and her cabinet continue to 
trifle with and play fast and loose with thesiftairs of state there can be no feeling 
of security for foreign families residing within these domains. There can be no 
business prosperity here at home, and our credit abroad must be of the flimsiest and 
most uncertain nature. And you. business men, who are toiling honestly for your 
bread and butter, will have to put up with thin bread and much thinner butter if 
this farcical work is continued. In order that matters may be set to rights again, 
and that honest, stable, and honorable government may be maintained in Hawaii. 
I support the resolution and trust that it will be passed unanimously by this meeting. 

Mr. C. Bolte. Since the resolution which was read here has been written things 
have changed. On Saturday the Queen promised the native people that she would 
give them a new constitution under all circumstances: she did not say exactly when 
out as soon as possible. This morning a proclamation was issued, in which shesays 
that her attempt to promulgate a new constitution last Saturday was made under 
stress of her native subjects, but that she will not do it again. An attempt to change 
the fundamental law of the land is a very serious matter, a matter that requires a 
good deal of consideration, and I am well convinced that this matter has been 
weighed and considered for more than a day by the Queen, and that there was no 
acting on the spur of the moment under the stress of her native subjects about it. 
Tt was her well premeditated conclusion that she would change the constitution so 
as to suit herself on the day of prorogation of the Legislature. Many jieople knew 
this several days ago, but there have been so many rumors about all sorts of things 
that not very much attention was paid to it; it was expected that she might change 
her mind before that day would come. But she did not change her mind as soon as 
that: she told the native people that she was ready to give them a new constitution 
right then and there, but that she could not do it because her ministers would not 
let her. Now she has changed her mind; she makes a sort of excuse for what she 
did. and says she will never do it again. 

It seems to me that the question that your committee has to ask now, and which 
is for you gentlemen here in the meeting to decide, is this : Are you satisfied with the 
assurance given in to-day's proclamation signed by the Queen and the four ministers, 
and will you consider this matter ended, or do you desire greater and stronger guar- 
antees for the safety and preservation of your life and liberty and property ? I am 
one of the citizens' committee of public safety ; my views ou the situation are ex- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



129 



pressed in the resolutions which have just been read, aud I trust you will show that 
you are of the same mind as the committee by adopting these resolutions. 

Hon. H. P. Baldwin. I feel, with the rest of you, that the actions of the Queen 
have put the country in a very critical situation. Before this revolutionary act of 
Her Majesty we were getting along. A ministry had been appointed which Avould 
probably have been able to pull us through. The McKinley bill had put the whole 
country into a critical situation. We were working up new industries. Mr. Dil- 
lingham was trying to build a railroad around this island. The Queen seems to 
have blinded herself to all these things. She has followed a whim of her own — a 
whim of an irresponsible body of Hawaiians — and tried to establish a new consti- 
tution. We must stop this; but we must not go beyond constitutional means. I 
favor this resolution, but think the committee should, act within the constitution. 
There is no question that the Queen has done a revolutionary act ; there is no doubt 
about that. The Queen's proclamation has not inspired confidence; but shall we 
not teach her to act within the constitution? [Loud calls of " No."] Well, gentle- 
men, I am ready to act when the time comes. 

J. Emmeluth wished to say a few words on the situation. He had heard the 
Queen's speech at the palace, and noted the expression of her face. It was fiendish. 
When the petitioners filed out he reflected on the fact that 30 men could paralyze 
the business of the community for 24 hours. It was not they that did it, but the 
schemers behind them, and perhaps a woman, too. It was not the Hawaiians that 
wanted the new constitution ; not those who worked. This was the third time that 
he had shut his doors, let his men go, and came up to this building. It would be 
the last time. If we let this time go by we would deserve all we would get. An 
opportunity came once in every lifetime. It had come to us, and if we finished as 
we should a repetition of last Saturday would never occur in this country again. 
[Applause.] We must stand shoulder to shoulder. There was but one course to 
pursue, and we would all see it. The manifesto of this morning was bosh. "I 
won't do it any more; but give me a chance and 111 do it again." If the Queen had 
succeeded last Saturday, myself and you would have been robbed of the privileges 
without which no white man can live in this community. " Fear not, be not afraid," 
was written in my Bible by my mother twenty-five years ago. Gentlemen, I have 
done. As far as the Hawaiians are concerned, all have an aloha for them, and we 
wish to have laws enabling us to live peaceably together. 

R. J. Greene. Fellow citizens, among the many things I never could do was to 
make an impromptu speech. I have tried it over and over again and never succeeded 
but once, and that was after five weeks' preparation. Our patience has been ex- 
hausted. We all agree about the case. The question is, the remedy. John Greene, 
of Rhode Island, entered the war oi* the Revolution and served throughout. His 
son, my father, served through the war of 1812, until that little matter was settled. 
In 1862 John Greene, my father, stood before a meeting like this, and said he had 
four sons in the war, of whom I was the youngest, and would serve himself if he was 
not too old. This experience has biased my judgment as to some matters of civil 
government. It is too late to throw obstacles across the path of its progress here. 
I have adopted this flag and am loyal to it, but I am not willing to go one step back 
in the name of civil liberty, and I will give the last drop of Rhode Island blood in 
my veins to go forward, and not back. [Cheers.] 

Chairman Wilder read, the latter part of the resolution. 

It was passed by a unanimous standing vote, without a dissenting voice, and 
amid tremendous cheers, after which the meeting broke up. 

[Inclosure 6 in N6v. 79.] 

[Daily Pacific Commercial Advertiser, January 18, 1893.] 

THE NEW ERA — THE REVOLUTION TERMINATED BY THE ESTABLISHING OF A PROVI- 
SIONAL GOVERNMENT— CITIZENS RISE AND SEIZE THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING — 
THE MONARCHY ABROGATED— ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEERS RALLY ROUND THE NEW 
GOVERNMENT — THE LATE QUEEN AND CABINET YIELD AND LEAVE THE TOWN 
UNDER THE QUIET PROTECTION OF ITS OWN CITIZENS— FULL TEXT OF THE PROC- 
LAMATION AND ORDERS. 

All day yesterday the community were in a state of expectancy, looking to the 
committee of public safety to do something to end the state of tension, and to 
secure the rights of all citizens against encroachment once and for all. The com- 
mittee in the meantime was not idle, but was incessantly occupied completing its 
organization and perfecting the final arrangements necessary to the proclamation of 
the Provisional Government and its protection by an armed force. At about 2.30 
o'clock an attempt was made by three native policemen to arrest the progress of a 
wagon which was being driven up Fort street by Mr. Benner and Mr. Good. Those 
\n charge of the wagon resisted the attempt of the officers to arrest its course. One 



130 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



of the officers making a motion to draw a revolver, Mr. Good drew his own, and 
calling- attention to the fact that he was justified in shooting, he fired, seeking how- 
ever, to avoid the infliction of a dangerous wound. The wagon pursued its way, 
followed hy a policeman in a hack. This episode precipitated the movement. 
Citizens hurried to the Beretania street armory, where they were formed into com- 
panies and marched to the Government building. 

In the meantime the committee of public safety, accompanied by members of the 
Government about to be formed, proceeded to the Government building. They were 
entirely unarmed. Arrived at the Government building the committee inquired for 
the cabinet, but the ministers were not to be found. They then demanded aud re- 
ceived of Mr. Hassinger the possession of the building. The party now proceeded 
to the front steps and, in the presence of a rapidly increasing crowd, the following 
proclamation was read: 

Before the reading of the proclamation was completed the volunteers from the 
Rifles' armory began to assemble in force. The grounds of Aliiolani Hale were cleared 
and a guard set at all the gates. 

The following orders were then promptly issued by the Provisional Government: 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, 

January 17, 1898. 

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
[Order No. 1.] 

All persons favorable to the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands are 
hereby requested to forthwith report to the Government at the Government building 
and to furnish the Government such arms and ammunition as they may have in their 
possession or control as soon as possible, in order that efficient and complete pro- 
tection of life and property and the public peace may be immediately and efficiently 
put into operation. 

Sanford B. Dole, 
J. A. King, 
P. C. Jones, 
William O. Smith, 
Executive Counsel of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

John Emmeluth, 
Andrew Brown, 

C. BOLTE, 

James F. Morgan, 
Henry Waterhouse, 
S. M. Damon, 
W. G. Ashley, 

E. D. Tenny, 

F. W. McChesney, 
W. C. Wilder, 

J. A. McCandless, 
W. R. Castle, 
Lorrina A. Thurston, 
F. J. Wilhelm, 

Advisory Counsel of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 



Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 17, 1893. 

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
[Order No. 2.] 

It is hereby ordered and decreed that until further ordered the right of the writ 
of habeas corpus is hereby suspended, and martial law is hereby declared to exist 
throughout the Island of Oahu. 

Sanford B. Dole, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs, 
J. A. King, 
Minister of the Interior, 
P. C. J'ONKS, 

Minister of Finance, 
William O.. Smith, 
Attorney-General) 

Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Ha waiian Islands, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



131 



The Provisional Government sent for the late ministers, who were at the police 
station. Two of them came, and finally all four repaired to the headquarters of the 
new Government, where formal demand was made upon them for the possession of 
the police station. The ex-ministers asked.for time to deliberate upon this demand. 
They went to the palace in company with Hon. Samuel M. Damon, and held a con- 
sultation with Lilinokalani. The result was a compromise proposition, which was 
rejected by the Provisional Government. After further consultation the following- 
protest was noted: 

I, Lilinokalani, by the grace of God and under the constitution of the Hawaiian 
Kingdom, Queen, do hereby solemnly protest against any and all acts done against 
myself and the constitutional Government of the Hawaiian Kingdom by certain 
persons claiming to have established a Provisional Government of and for this King- 
dom. 

that I yield to the superior force of the United States of America, whose minister 
plenipotentiary, his excellency John L. Stevens, has caused United States troops to 
be landed at Honolulu and declared that he would support the said Provisional Gov- 
ernment. 

Now, to avoid any collision of armed forces and perhaps the loss of life, I do, under 
this protest, and impelled by said force, yield my authority until such time as the 
(iovernmeut of the United States shall, upon the facts being presented to it, undo 
the action of its representative and reinstate me in the authority which I claim as 
the constitutional Sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands. 

Done at Honolulu this 17th day of January, A. D. 1893. 

LlLITJOKALANI, R. 

Samuel Parker, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs. 
Wm. H. Cornwall, 

Minister of Finance. 
Jno. P. Colburn, 

Minister of the Interior. 
A. P. Peterson, 

Attorney- General. 

S. B. Dole, Esq., and others, 

Composing the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

(Indorsed:) Received by the hands of the late cabinet this 17th day of January, 
A. D. 1893. (Signed) Sanford B. Dole, chairman of the executive council of Pro- 
visional Government. 

The late Queen and cabinet accordingly yielded unconditionally, and the police 
station w r as turned over to Commander Soper and Capt. Ziegler with forty men 
from Company A. Mr. Wilson made a short address to the police force assembled in 
the station, telling them that resistance was no longer feasible. 

The Provisional Government sent notifications of the situation to the representa- 
tives of foreign powers. The following answer to the request for recognition was 
received from his excellency John L. Stevens: 

U A Provisional Government having been duly constitute! in the place of the recent 
Government of Queen Liliuokalani, and said Provisional Government being in full 
possession of the Government building, the archives, and the treasury, and in control 
of the capital of the Hawaiian Islands, I hereby r< cognize said Provisional Govern- 
ment as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

"John L. Stevens, 
u Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States." 

At latest advices the Provisional Government was in complete possession of the 
city, and the only Government possessing, exercising, or claiming any authority or 
power whatsoever. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 80.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, January 19, 1893. 
Sm: The Provisional Government of Hawaii, by special steamer, 
send a commission to Washington with Ml powers to negotiate with 
the Government of the United States. It is composed of six representa- 
tive men of the highest respectability. Hon. William G. Wilder is the 
president and chief manager of the' Inter-island Steamship Gompany, 



132 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



running steamers among the islands, and lie lias large property inter- 
ests in Honolulu. Hon: C. M. [surname omitted] is a leading lumber 
merchant, doing business with Puget Sound and Oregon, born here of 
the best American stock. Hon. L. A. Thurston is one of the most, if 
not the most, talented and influential man on the islands, and is of the 
highest respectability. He and his father were born on the islands, of 
Connecticut parentage. Though a young man, he was the leading 
member of the reform cabinet from July, 1887, to 1890. 

Hon. William H. Castle is a lawyer of eminence, born on the islands, 
of western New York parentage, his father still living here at the age 
of 84, having resided in Honolulu nearly half a century, and for many 
years exercised a large influence here. Mr. Charles P. Carter is the 
son of the recent Hawaiian minister at Washington, Hon. H. P. Carter, ' 
and is an accomplished and most reliable gentleman, American to the 
core, and has a Michigan wife. Hon. Mr. Marsden is of English birth, 
is a prominent business man and a noble in the Legislature. 

These six commissioners represent a large preponderating proportion 
of the property holders and commercial interests of these islands. They 
are backed by the influences which will enable them to fully carry out 
their agreements with the United States Government. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 81.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, January 26, 1893. 

Sir: By the steamer taking this dispatch, goes Mr. Paul Neuman 
to Washington, the attorney of the deposed Queen. Nominally he 
may make at the Department of State a "protest" as to the way his client 
lost her crown. In reality his mission is to get a large fee out of what- 
ever sum it is supposed may be paid by the treaty of annexation to the 
fallen monarch and the Crown Princess. This attorney, as the Ha- 
waiian Commissioners now in Washington may inform you, was a 
former resident of San Francisco, where he had and still has an un- 
savory reputation. For years his influence in politics here has been 
pernicious. He was a boon companion of the debased Kalakaua, the 
recent King; shared in his corruptions, and is reputed to have won at 
cards the money of the Nveak monarch. 

He was t wice voted out of the cabinet by the recent Legislatureby a 
large majority, every reputable member each time against him. He is 
believed on strong reasons to have been the head man in getting 
through the Legislature in the closing hours of the session the infamous 
lottery bill, which so much aided in precipitating the overthrow of the 
Hawaiian monarchy. This man, the Queen's attorney, is a good- 
natured, M jolly fellow," who, seeing the strong drift of things here, now 
avows himself unqualifiedly for annexation. I think it my duty to give 
to the Department of State this amount of information about the fallen 
Queen's attorney, and the Commissioners now in Washington can give 
you as much more as they deem i^roper. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



133 



Since the preceding dispatch was written Paul Neuman, as the 
attorney of the Queen, has called on me and explained his mission to 
Washington. I will take back nothing as to his former political 
career here; but he is good natured and politic lawyer. While he will 
probably urge the request to have the United States restore the 
fallen Queen to the throne as a matter of form and good faith on his 
part to his royal client, I have impressed on him the logic of the situa- 
tion and the absolute impossibility of restoring the deposed Queen. I 
think he sees this clearly, however otherwise he may at first talk, and 
that his only hope is to obtain a good cash consideration for all her 
claims. I think he has "full power of attorney 19 to this end. He 
takes with him the young man, Prince David, as he is called here, one 
of the two princes made by Kalakaua, spoken of in my No. 82, page 9. 

Stevens. 



Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

[Telegram.] 

Department of State, 

Washington, January 28, 1893. 
Tour dispatch, telegraphed from San Francisco, announcing revolu- 
tion and establishment of a Provisional Government, was received to-day. 
Your course in recognizing an unopposed de facto Government appears 
to have been discreet and in accordance with the facts. The rule of this 
Government has uniformly been to recognize and enter into relation with 
any actual Government in tull possession of effective power, with the 
assent of the people. You will continue to recognize the new Govern- 
ment under such conditions. It is trusted that the change, besides 
conducing to the tranquillity and welfare of the Hawaiian Islands, will 
tend to draw closer the intimate ties of amity and common interests 
which so conspicuously and necessarily link them to the United States. 
You will keep in constant communication with the commander of the 
United States naval force at Honolulu, with a view to acting, if need 
be, for the protection of the interests and property of American citizens 
and aiding in the preservation of good order under the changed condi- 
tions reported. 

Foster. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

[Telegram.] * 

Honolulu, February 1, 1893. 
Provisional Government of Hawaii gaining power and respect. 
Everything is quiet. Annexation sentiment is increasing. Dead mon- 
archy as d opposition to annexation is supported chiefly by lottery and 
opium ring. To-day at 9 a. m., in accordance with the request of Pro- 
visional Government of Hawaii, I have placed Government of Hawaii 
under the United States protection during negotiations, not interfering 
with the execution of public affairs. Have mailed important dis- 
patches. Have sent duplicate copies of dispatches. It is advisable 
tlx it Commodore Skerrett proceed at once to Honolulu, Sandwich 
Islands, with one or more United States ships as precautionary meas- 
ures. 

Stevens. 



134 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 70.] Department of State, 

Washington, Feb. jf, 1893. 
• Sir : I append a copy of telegraphic ^correspondence with your lega- 
tion, relative to the new Government of Hawaii, 
lam, etc., 

John W. Foster. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 82.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 1, 1893. 

Sir : Everything is moving on here quietly. The Provisional Govern- 
ment is discharging its responsibilities with firmness, discretion, and in 
the spirit of conciliation and magnanimity. The annexation sentiment 
has constantly increased since the departure of the commissioners for 
Washington, and with heartfelt earnestness is taking possession of all 
classes. Nearly all the Germans, the large proportion of the respect- 
able and responsible English, and almost the entire Portuguese popu- 
lation are warmly for annexation. This inclination of the Portuguese 
is quite important, for they number seven or eight thousand, are among 
the most industrious and saving, and they are thoughtfully led by 
Seuor Canavarro, their charge d'affaires, who has resided here for years, 
and commands the respect and confidence of all the best citizens of the 
island of whatever nationality. Canavarro's wife, on account of health 
and business, is obliged to spend much of" her time in California, where 
she owns valuable property. Annexation and the United States have 
good friends in the Canavarros.* 

As to terms of annexation, I still adhere firmly to the opinion ex- 
pressed in my despatch No. 74 that the sugar bounty to be paid to the 
Hawaiian sugar planters should be limited to 6 mills per pound — $12 
per ton, so long, and only so long as the United States bounty system 
shall be maintained. To the objection that this allows only $12 per 
ton on Hawaiian sugar while the Hawaiian planters get twice the 
amount per acre that the Louisiana planters do on the average, and 
as I said in my despatch 74, the concensus of opinion among the lead- 
ing planters here, obtained, by me five or six months since, was, and is, 
that $12 per ton bounty will place all the Hawaiian plantations worth 
maintaining on the road of financial safety and success. 

As to the form of Government lor the islands, I now only vary from 
views expressed in my 74 as to incline strongly to the opinion that the 
beginning should be substantially like that of President Jefferson and 
Congress in respect of Louisiana in the act of 1804, page 283, United 
States Statutes at Large, only differing from that by providing, in 
addition to governor, attorney-general, a commissioner of finance, a 
commissioner of the interior, and a legislative council of thirteen or 
fourteen, all to be appointed by the President, unless it should be 
deemed best for the governor to appoint the attorney-general, and 
the commissioners of finance and the interior, who would be prac- 



* See Mr. Stevens's telegram of January 18, 1893, and Mr. Foster's telegram of Janu- 
ary 28, 1893, in reply. 

*The remarks relative to Senor Canavarro, the Portuguese charge", strictly confi- 
dential. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



135 



tically a cabinet of three to aid the governor to carry on the Govern- 
ment. This plan aud method of Government could be maintained as a 
transition Government until experience should prove it best to change 
it to a more popular form. In the meantime the responsible voters 
would rapidly increase and American ideas and interest would gain in 
force and volume. My private consultation with the Provisional 
Government since the departure of the commissioners for Washington 
has led us to think highly of the Jefferson act of 1804 for Louisiana as 
a transition expedient for Hawaii. This would cause no shock and 
would allow affairs to move along on safe and conservative lines until 
time and experience demand something better. It would be fortunate 
to have such a man as Sanford B. Dole, the present head of the Pro- 
visional Government, the first American governor of Hawaii. 

As to liquidating all political claims from the fall of the Queen and 
the Crown Princess, may I be allowed to suggest that the spirit and 
import of the Marcy treaty plan of 1854 had better be adopted, which 
authorized the expenditure of $100,000 for l\ke purposes. I, therefore, 
suggest that if a liquidation of this kind be now under consideration 
and $150,000 should be allowed as the total sum for this purpose, $70,- 
000 should go to the fallen Queen Liliuokalani and $70,000 to the Crown 
Princess Kaiulana, and $5,000 to each of the two young princes. The 
last named — the two princes — are harmless young persons, of little 
account, not chiefs by blood, but they were made princes by the late 
King Kalakaua without any constitutional right or power to do so, the 
then boys being nephews of his wife Kapiolani. Should the entire sum 
granted for these purposes be greater or less than $150,000 I advise 
that the above specified proportions be maintained. 

As to the native Hawaiians and their native leaders at this time, 
things are tending favorably towards annexation. Mr. Kauhame, for 
many years a member of the Legislature, and regarded for years the 
best native in the islands in public life, a noble to the close of the 
recent session of that body, is earnest for annexation. So is Mr. Kanihi, 
a member of the Legislature from this island. Hon. John W. Kahia, 
the ablest native lawyer in the island, years a member of former Legis- 
latures from the important island of Maui, thinks the fall of the Queen 
and the extinction of the monarchy a boon to Hawaii, and he is for 
annexation. Kobert W. Wilcox, a half- white native, who led the Hawai- 
ian revolt in 3889, which came so near being successful, is now for 
annexation. He was educated in Italy at a military school, is 37 years 
of age, his father being a citizen of Ehode Island, and, it is said, is still 
living in that State. This Wilcox has more fighting ability than any 
other native Hawaiian, and will be proud to become an American citi- 
zen and at a future time to serve in the army or civil service of the 
United States. 

The ablest of the native Hawaiian Christian ministers are strong in 
their American sympathies. The pastor of the large native Hawaiian 
church in this city, a native Hawaiian, is for annexation earnestly. 
The other large Hawaiian congregation and church in Honolulu has a 
favorite pastor born here of American parentage, whose quiet influence 
is in the same direction. The native newspaper of much the largest cir- 
culation in the islands advocates annexation, stands by the Provisional 
Government, and is losing none of its circulation. The main part of 
the opponents of annexation are the lower class of natives, led by 
unscrupulous foreigners, of little property, mostly of California, Aus- 
tralia, and Canada, who wish to maintain the Hawaiian monarchy and 
its corruptions for their own unworthy purposes, and who think their 



136 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



opportunities for power and spoliation will be gone if annexation 
becomes a fact. 

The Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe, and this is the golden hour for 
the United States to pluck it. If annexation does not take place 
promptly, all is held in doubt and suspense for six or ten months, there 
certainly will be here a revulsion to despair, and these people? by their 
necessities, might be forced towards becoming a British colony, for the 
English here of the monarchial type would then avail themselves of 
their opportunity and stir up all possible opposition to annexation. 
The wealthiest Englishman of these islands has to day called at tins 
legation, and no man in Hawaii is more earnest for annexation. His 
two sons, large business men, are w ith him in this regard, and the next 
old British resident, a Scotchman by birth, is with the man first named 
for annexation. I can not otherwise than urge prompt action at Wash- 
ington. 

I am, etc., • 

t John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 83.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, February 1893. 
Sir: In my ISTo. 81, by this mail, I have given information as to the 
going of Paul Neumann to Washington by this steamer to represent the 
interests of the fallen Queen. I have since learned that it is not im- 
probable that there also will go to Washington, of the Queen's faction, 
Mr. H. A. Widemann and Mr. 0. O. Berger. The former is a Hessian 
German who came to these islands nearly forty years ago. He is 
married to a pure native wife, and has acquired property through his 
relations to natives and by the American sugar tariff under reciprocity. 
His views are widely different from all the other principal Germans 
here. His relations have been close with the fallen Queen and he was 
voted out of her cabinet early in the session of the recent Legislature, 
all of the best members voting against him. He is, and always has heen, 
strongly anti-American. He was of the small clique in Honolulu bit- 
terly against us from 1861 to 1865. He was the leading man of the 
only five who, in the Legislature two years since, voted to put an end 
to all further negotiations with the United States. For years he has 
had relations with the English minister here, though the latter has not 
always approved of Widemann's eccentricities, for which the latter is 
well known. 

Widemann is 70 years of age, somewhat broken, and says he is going 
only to California for his health. He takes with him Mr. O. 0. Berger, 
his son-in-law, a German or a Swede, who came here from the United 
States. Berger is reputed to be of few scruples. He was a member 
of the recent Legislature, always voted with the thieves, voted for the 
lottery franchise, and had "a job" with the recent Government which 
made much talk here unfavorable to Berger. It is thought now that 
he cares little for the old palace dynasty, but goes only to please and 
to take care of the health of Widemann,* of whose property, as son-in- 
law, he hopes soon to share. Possibly Widemann and Berger tell the 

* It is now understood here that Widemann goes to Washington with Paul Neu- 
mann. Both of them have taken tickets for the steamer which leaves here to-morrow 
for San Francisco. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



137 



truth in saying that they are going only to San Francisco, "but rumor 
. and strong suspicion say that they will go with Neumann to Washing- 
ton to help the case of the deposed Queen and to oppose annexation. 

Another leaf of valuable information I wish to give the Department 
of State: The old " palace gang" for the past ten days have been busy 
here and in the other, islands in getting the signatures of natives to a 
remonstrance against annexation, in the hope thus to restore the mon- 
archy. The signatures to these petitioifs or remonstrances are being 
obtained by utterly false representations as to the purposes of the 
United States, by promises, and other unscrupulous means. This dirty 
work is managed exclusively by the same white men, American rene- 
gades, Australians, and Canadians, who have thrived on the palace 
corruptions under the recent King Kalakaua and his sister, the deposed 
Queen. There will be no certainty that half the signatures* to the 
petitions or remonstrances are genuine. 

Possibly a Mr. Bush and a Mr. Namahi will be the bearers of these 
petitions. The former is a half-Avhite, a minister of Kalakaua in the 
brief and famous "Moreno fiasco," and Bush and Namahi were mem- 
bers of the recent Legislature and voted for the lottery franchise. These 
and the whole lottery and palace gang are directly interested in dis- 
crediting the Provisional Government, for that Government has just 
annulled the lottery charter, which the palace gang hoped to sell out to 
the Louisiana Lottery men for a half million dollars, more or less. There 
is also some talk that Antone Bosa, a half-white lawyer, with a doubt- 
ful reputation, may go with Bush and ISTamahi. It is possible that none 
of these named — Widemann, Berger, Bush, Namahi, and Bosa — will go 
to Washington. Bush, Kamahi, and Bosa have no following among 
the better class of the native Hawaiian s, and their representations would 
be entirely unreliable. The members of the Provisional Government's 
commission, now in Washington, thoroughly know the character and 
► backing of Widemann, Berger, Namahi, Bush, and Rosa. There is no 
doubt that the palace gang of white men will pay the bills of Bush, 
Namahi, and Rosa, if they go on their visit to Washington. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 84.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 1, 1893. 
Sik: To-day the undersigned and Cap t. Wiltse of the Boston are 
corbelled to assume a grave responsibility. The inclosed copies of 
official notes will explain the reasons which have led to this action on 
our part. 

T have time before the departure of the mail steamer only to state 
briefly the additional reasons which caused us to assume temporary 
protectorate of these islands. The Provisional Government must have 
time to organize a new police and to discipline a small military lorce.. 
When the monarchy died by its own hand, there was no military force 
in the islands but the royal guard of about 75 natives, not in effective 
force equal to 20 American soldiers. These were promptly discharged; 

* Have received absolutely reliable information that the signatures of the natives; 
to the petitions above specified are secured by paying so much a head to the signers, 
or to the agents who secure them. The white palace and lottery men are working 
this plan of action. 



138 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



by the Provisional Government, except 16 left as the guard of the 
fallen Queen at her house. 

The white men here, as well as the natives, have not been much accus- 
tomed to the use of arms. There are scarcely any men familiar with 
military discipline. Companies are now being organized and drilled. 
They must have a few weeks for drill. Only a small force of a few hun- 
dred will be required, but these must be disciplined men. So far the 
Provisional Government has Ween sustained by the uprising and union 
of the business men and best citizens. Bankers, merchants, clerks, pro- 
fessional men, respectable mechanics have stood manfully by the new 
Government and kept guard by night. This kind of defense must give 
place to a small, reliable military force. Time is the necessity of the 
new Government. There are 40,000 Chinese and Japanese on the 
islands, and evil-disposed persons might stir some of them to disorder. 
But the chief elements of evil are in Honolulu, where are the rene- 
gade whites at the head of the lottery and opium rings, and a consider- 
able number of hoodlum foreigners and the more vicious of the natives. 

Another important reason for our action is the possibility of the 
arm al here of a British war vessel, and that the English minister here, 
thus aided, might try to press unduly the Provisional Government. 
With the islands under our protection we think the English minister 
will not attempt to insist that his Government has the right to inter- 
fere while our flag is over the Government building. This is all I have 
time to write before the departure of the mail. We shall continue to 
maintain our present position with great caution and firmness until we 
hear from the President through the Secretary of State. As a neces- 
sary precaution against all contingencies, I advise that Admiral Sker- 
rett be promptly sent here with one or two ships in addition to the 
Boston. 

I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 4 

(One or two of the preceding numbers of the dispatches by this mail 
were written prior to this date, but they were dated February 1 because 
this is the day of the steamer's departure.) 



[Inclosure 1.] 

Mr. Stevens to Capt. Wiltse. 

United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 1, 1893. 

Sir: The Provisional Government of the Hawaiiau Islands having duly and offi- 
cially expressed to the undersigned, the fear that said Government may be unable 
to protect life and property and to prevent civil disorder in Honolulu, the capital of 
said Hawaiian Islands, request that the flag of the United States may be raised for 
the protection of the Hawaiian Islands, and to that end confer on the United States, 
through the undersigned, freedom of occupation of the public buildings of the Ha- 
waiian Goverment and the soil of the Hawaiian Islands, so far as may be necessary 
for the exercise of such protection, but not interfering with the admiustration of the 
public affairs by said Provisional Government. 

I hereby ask you to comply with the spirit and terms of the request of the Hawai- 
ian Provisional Government, and to that end to use all the force at your command, in 
the exercise of your best judgment and discretion, you and myself awaiting instruc- 
tions from the United States Government at Washington. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United JStates. 
Capt. G. C. Wiltse, 

Commander of the U. S. Shij) Boston. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



139 



[Inclosure 2.] 

The Haivaiian Provisional Government to Mr. Stevens. 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 31, 1893. 
Sir: Believing that we are unable to satisfactory protect lite and property, and 
to prevent civil disorders in Honolulu and throughout the Hawaiian Islands, we 
hereby, in obedience to the instructions of the advisory council, pray that you will 
raise the flag of the United States of America for tne protection of the Hawaiian Is- 
lands for the time being, and to that end we hereby confer upon the Government of 
United States, through you, freedom of occupation of the public buildings of this 
Government, and of the soil of this country, so far as may be necessary for the 
exercise of such protection, but not interfering with the administration of public 
affairs by this Government. 
We have, etc., 

Sanford B. Dole, 
President of the Provisional Government of the Haivaiian Islands, 

and Minister of Foreign Affairs. 
J. A. King, 

Minister of Interior. 
P. C. Jones, 

Minister of Finance. 
William O. Smith, 

Attorney- General. 

His Excellency John L. Stevens, 

• Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, 

[Telegram.] 

Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, February 8, 1893. 
The affairs of state continue to be hopeful. Hoisting flag in protec- 
tion of this Government was expected. Subjects who were doubtful, 
now for annexation. The natives showed unexpected regard of the 
United States flag. Prudent conduct of Oapt. Wiltse, the officers and 
crew of the Boston, credit to the Navy. Can not send by mail. 

Stevens. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 85.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 8, 1893. 
Sm : As I have already indicated by cipher telegram of this date, 
political affairs here continue to have a hopeful aspect. The raising of 
the United States flag and the published proclamation of temporary 
American protectorate of the islands, so far, appear to be having a 
more beneficial effect than could have been reasonably anticipated. 
Foreign residents, before in doubt, are now expressing satisfaction that 
the American flag has been raised here, and are hoping that it will not 
be lowered, believing annexation best for all concerned. The native 
Hawaiians are showing an unexpected regard for our flag. The fallen 
Queen has conducted herself so shamefully and shown so much favor- 
itism to foreign adventurers that all the better portions of the natives had 
ceased to have legal reverence for her. Her bold, unblushing associa- 



140 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



tion with the Talritian half-white palace favorite weakened the hold of 
the Queen on the natives nearly as much as the official confidence she 
gave to the American and Australian adventurers of the lottery and 
opium rings. 

Information from all the principal islands of the group is favorable; 
more so than could have been anticipated. The local government 
affairs are moving on with little friction, and the courts are transacting 
their regular and customary business. The interruption to private 
business and labor is comparatively little, while the hope of annexation 
is exerting an invigorating financial influence. As soon as. it can 
become a certainty that these islands are to remain under the United 
States flag as a part of American territory, there is little doubt that 
all the principal native leaders will wish to become American citizens, 
and their assistance can be had to help bring the native people into 
ready obedience to American law and fidelity to the American flag. 

As stated in my cipher telegram of this date, the conduct of Capt. 
Wiltse, of the Boston, and of the officers and men under his command 
has been" admirable. Their deportment on shore and in public places, 
whether on duty or otherwise, has been such as to command the favor- 
able comment of all. The time of Capt. Wiltse here is understood to 
expire February 10. I have no doubt it would be a just gratification 
to him could he remain on duty here until the question of annexation 
shall have been substantially decided. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

[Telegram.] 

Department of State, 

Washington, February 14, 1893. 
Your telegram of the 1st instant has been received, with coincident 
report from commander of the Boston. Press telegrams from San Fran- 
cisco give full details of events of 1st instant, with text of your proc- 
lamation. The latter, in announcing assumption of protection of the 
Hawaiian Islands in the name of the United States would seem to be 
tantamount to the assumption of a protectorate over those islands on 
behalf of the United States, with all the rights and obligations which 
the term implies. It is not thought, however, that the request of the 
Provisional Government for protection or your action in compliance 
therewith contemplated more than the cooperation of the moral and 
material forces of the United States to strengthen the authority of 
the Provisional Government, by according to it adequate protection for 
life and property during the negotiations instituted here, and without 
interfering with the execution of public affairs. Such cooperation was 
and is within your standing instructions and those of the naval com- 
manders in Hawaiian waters. So far as your course accords to the 
de facto Sovereign Government, the material cooperation of the United 
States for the maintenance of good order and protection of life and 
property from apprehended disorders, it is commended; but so far as 
it may appear to overstep that limit by setting the authority of the 
United States above that of the Hawaiian Government in the capacity 
of protector, or to impair the independent sovereignty of that Govern- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



141 



merit by substituting the flag and power of the United States, it is 
disavowed. 

Instructions will be sent to naval commanders confirming and renew- 
ing those heretofore given them, under which they are authorized and 
directed to cooperate with you in case of need. Your own instructions 
are likewise renewed, and you are accordingly authorized to arrange 
with the commanding officer for the continued presence on shore of 
such marine force as may be practicable and requisite for the security 
of the lives and property interests of American citizens and the repres- 
sion of lawlessness threatening them, whenever in yonr judgment it 
shall be necessary so to do, or when such cooperation may be sought 
for good cause by the Government of the Hawaiian Islands; being, 
however, always careful to distinguish between these functions of vol- 
untary or accorded protection and the assumption of a protectorate 
over the Government of the Hawaiian Islands, which the United States 
have recognized as sovereign and with which they treat on terms of 
sovereign equality. 

John W. Foster. 



Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

[Telegram.] 

Department of State, 

Washington, February 15, 1893. 
A treaty of annexation has been signed and will be sent to the Sen- 
ate without delay. 

John W. Foster. 



Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 72.-] Department of State, 

Washington, February 16, 1893. 
Sir: I append copies of my telegrams to you of the 15th instant in 
relation to your recent bereavement, and to the treaty annexing the 
Hawaiian Islands to the United States. 
I am, etc., 

JonN W. Foster. 



Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 73.] Department of State, 

Washington, February 16, 1893. 
Sir : I append on the overleaf a copy of a telegram * sent to you on 
the 14th instant, relative to the Hawaiian revolution. 
I am., etc., 

John W. Foster, 



* See under date of February 14, 1893. 



142 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 74.] Department of State, 

Washington, February 17, 1893. 

Sir: I append for your information copy of an instruction to the 
consul-general at Honolulu, of this date, directing him to report fully 
as to the shipping under Hawaiian registry on the 17th day of January, 
1893, and any transfers of vessels to the Hawaiian flag which may have 
been or may be effected since that date. 

You will kindly lend Mr. Severance your counsel and aid in preparing 
the indicated report. 

I suggest, moreover, for your confidential guidance, that it may be 
well for you to make such friendly and discreet intimation to the pres- 
ent Government as may discourage the placing of foreign shipping 
under its flag at this juncture. 
I am, etc., 

William F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary, 



[Inclosure in No. 74.] 

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Severance. 

No. 74.1 Department of State, 

Washington, February 17, 1893. 

Sir: I have to request that you will prepare, at as early a day as may be possible? 
and forward to the Department, a table showing all vessels, bona fide, under Hawaiian 
registry on the 17th of January last, giving names, character, tonnage, horse-power, 
if steamers, where and when built, andhow owned at that date, whether by Hawaiian 
citizens or foreigners. 

You will also be expected to report what vessels, if any, have been or may be 
transferred from foreign registry to the Hawaiian flag since the 17th of January, 
giving the same particulars" 

It is said, but with what positive foundation is not here known, that a movement 
is on foot to place a number of foreign vessels under Hawaiian registry, with a view 
to eventually obtain the benefits of United States registry. Your inquiries, which, 
should be discreet, and your report should aim to throw light on this subject. 

The minister has been informed of this instruction, and you may confer with him 
on the subject. 
I am, etc. 

William F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

[Telegram.] 

Depart^ient of State, 

Washington, February 22, 1893. 
The treaty of annexation is still pending in the Senate. Confirming 
previous instructions, you are directed, in cooperation with the naval 
authorities, to support the Provisional Government in the maintenance 
of security to life and property and good order, until action shall be 
had upon tbe treaty. 

Foster. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 143 
Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 75.] 

Department of State, 

Washington, February 23, 1893. 
Sir: 1 append a copy of your telegram* of 8th instant on Hawaiian 
affairs. 

I am, sir, etc., 

William F. Wharton. 



Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 76,] Department op State, 

Washington, February 24, 1893. 

Sir: I append a copy of a telegram *sent you on 22d instant. 
I am, etc., 

William F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 86.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 27, 1893. 

Sir : The political status of affairs here remains much the same as 
at the date of my last previous dispatch, with improving indications as 
to these islands becoming a part of the territory of the United States, 
to the great satisfaction of nearly all of the responsible citizens, whites 
as well as native Hawaiians. 

The raising of the United States flag over the Government building- 
con tin ues to have a pacifying influence. The qualified United States 
protectorate, which has been temporarily assumed at the request of the 
Provisional Government, is being exercised with caution and reserva- 
tion, in no way interfering with Hawaiian sovereignty nor with the 
administration of Hawaiian public affairs by the duly constituted au- 
thorities. My understanding of the spirit and terms of our temporary 
protectorate is in entire accord with the spirit and terms of the Secre- 
tary of State's dispatch to me of February 14, and implied in my dis- 
patch No. 84, of February 1st, and the papers accompanying the same. 

There are now on shore about one hundred and twenty marines and 
sailors of the U. S. S. Boston, with their officers, and their conduct so 
far has been highly creditable to the American Navy. 

All present indications are to the import that if annexation becomes 
a fact the white population will be nearly unanimous in its favor ; that 
most of the native Hawaiians will readily acquiesce, and that the per- 
manent good order and prosperity of the islands will be secured. The 
most recent advices from all the principal islands indicate quiet, good 
order, and general acquiescence in the rule of the Provisional Govern- 
ment. 

I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



* See under date of February 8, 1893. 
*See under date of February 22, 1893. 



144 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 87.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 27, 1893. 

Sir : In my dispatch 84, of February 1, 1 gave as one of the reasons 
for our action in assuming a Qualified and temporary "protectorate" 
over .these islands, the possibility of the arrival here of a British war 
vessel, and stated that the English minister thus aided might try to 
press unduly the Provisional Government. On the 13th instant the 
British cruiser Garnet, an iron ship of 2,120 tons, 240 men and officers, 
Capt. H. F. Hughes-Hallet in command, arrived here. Only three or 
four days had elapsed when the manifest unfriendliness of the English 
sailors as well as of some of the officers of the Garnet was displayed. The 
men of the Garnet being allowed to go on shore in the customary way, 
they soon showed marked sympathy for the fallen Queen's cause and 
indulged m insulting remarks towards the United States marines and 
sailors of the Boston on duty ashore by the request of the Provisional 
Government and with my approval. 

There came very near being a riot and severe quarrel in the public 
streets. Only the forbearance and self-possession of the officers and 
men of the Boston prevented the English sailors getting a severe beat- 
ing, with unhappy incidents. It at once became necessary for the Pro- 
visional Government to take precautionary steps as to the men from 
foreign naval vessels being on shore, providing that only those of one 
nationality should be on shore the same day. I cannot think that Capt. 
Hughes-Hallet, of the Garnet, gave countenance to this insulting and 
disorderly conduct of the men of his ship, though some of the under 
officers may have done so. Neither the captain of the Garnet nor his 
officers have made the customary call on the Provisional Government, 
and so far as possible they seem to wish to ignore it. It is generally 
supposed, and I think correctly, that the English minister here, Hon. 
J. H. Wodehouse, whose son is married to the sister of the Hawaiian 
Crown Princess, is largely responsible for this unfriendliness to the 
Provisional Government. By those best informed as to Hawaiian Gov- 
ernment affairs in the past twenty years, it is said that Mr. Wodehouse 
in his persistent resistance to American predominance here has never 
been well supported by the British cabinet in London, and it is believed 
that he will not be now. 

Were it not that our flag is over the Government House there is 
little doubt that this British unfriendliness would have done much more 
mischief in stirring up the "hoodlum" elements, of which the lottery 
and opium gang of the fallen Queen's supporters have more or less con- 
trol. At a great American reception and ball here on the evening x of 
the 25th instant, the largest and most imposing ever had in Honolulu, 
partly as a testimonial to Captain Wiltse, of the Boston, about to leave 
for the United States, the English, the English diplomatic and consu- 
lar officials, nor the officers of the Garnet attended, though they were 
invited. 

I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



145 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

[Telegram.] 

Legation of the United States, 
Honolulu, March 1, 1893. 
All quiet throughout archipelago. Protectorate is preventing pres- 
sure of the British minister. The Japanese representatives telegraphed 
Government January 19. Japanese ship Nanhva arrived February 23. 
Kongo arrived January 28. It is believed that the Japanese represent- 
ative who arrived November 28 is urged by the British minister. It is 
believed that the British ship War spite has been ordered here to pro- 
vide for contingencies. It is advisable to send here at once the most 
powerful American ship available. I have sent particulars by mail. 

Stevens. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 88.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, March 1, 1893. 

Sir: My telegram preceding this dispatch informed the Department 
of State that quiet and general regularity in political and business 
affairs prevailed throughout the islands. 

Oar qualified protectorate appears to work favorably. It not only 
tends to increase American and annexation sentiments, but it also 
operates to prevent foreign complications. It makes it very difficult 
for the English Minister here — very hostile to American predominance 
— from interfering. 

He is very desirous of bringing about a state of things to afford a 
pretext for landing English marines and sailors, and to bring about a 
tripartite management of Hawaiian affairs. Hence his efforts to secure 
the Japanese commissioner to his design. With the former Japanese 
commissioner, a gentleman of education and intelligence and very fair- 
minded, I had most cordial relations. 

The present commissioner, here only a few weeks, is a different man. 
He had been in the consular service in San Francisco and New York 
and evidently has a certain degree of anti- American prejudice. 

When he telegraphed Tokio for the great iron clad which arrived 
here February 23, the Provisional Government had not got fairly to 
work, and our " qualified protectorate" had not been established. 

Not fully understanding the situation he acted hastily. So far the 
commanders of the two Japanese vessels have followed the example 
of the English commanders in not calling on the Provisional Govern- 
ment, though both the English minister and the Japanese commis- 
sioner had acknowledged it as the Hawaiian Government de facto. 
The French commissioner and the Portugese charge are on most 
friendly terms with the Provisional Government, as are nearly all the 
foreign consuls. 

I still hope to separate the Japanese commissioner from the English 
minister. He has already avowed himself quite well satisfied with 
the course of the Provisional Government, and acknowledges the 
unsuppor table state of things the last weeks of the Hawaiian mon- 
archy. 

H. Ex. 48 10 



146 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



It is possible be has some connection witb tbe middlemen who bave 
been supplying contract laborers for tbe Hawaiian plantations, and 
fears annexation migbt spoil tbe occupation and profits of middle- 
men. 

Whether any suggestions should be made to onr minister at Tokio 
to say any thin g to the Japanese Government touching Hawaiian 
affairs, it is for the Department of State to decide. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 

Note. — In requesting that war vessels be sent here I have considered 
that the Department of State might probably have information prior 
to arrival of my cipher dispatch rendering the granting of my request 
unnecessary. 

But I also consider that if I do not give the view as it appears at 
this distant standpoint at this date, I would fail of duty. 

Stevens. 



Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 77.] Department of State, 

Washington, March 2, 1893. 
Sir : I transmit a letter of the President in reply to the letter of 
January 24, 1893, of his excellency the President of the Provisional 
Government of the Hawaiian Islands, relating to political events; and 
a copy thereof. You will send the copy to the foreign office, and deliver 
the original at a time and in a manner, agreeable to his excellency. 
I am, sir, etc., 

William F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary. 



[Enclosure in No. 77.] 

Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States of America, To His Excellency, 
Sanford B. Dole, President of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

Washington, March 1, 1893. 

Great and Good Friend: I have received your letter of January 24, 1893, by 
which you inform me that the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands has 
been quietly and peaceably established under a proclamation formally and publicly 
made at the door of the Government building in Honolulu, on the 17th day of Jan- 
uary, 1893, and that the said Government has honored you with the office of Presi- 
dent of the Provisional Government and chairman of the executive and advisory 
councils of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

I am pleased to note the expression of your earnest desire to maintain and 
strengthen the strong friendship which has for so many years existed between the 
United States and the Ha waiian Islands, and to assure your excellency that I shall 
omit no effort which may conduce to the accomplishment of a purpose which I so 
heartily desire. 

May God have your excellency and the people of the Hawaiian Islands in His 
wise keeping. 

Your good friend, 

BEN J, HARRISON. 

By the President : 

Wm, F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary of State, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



147 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Gresham. 

No. 89.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, March 7, 1893. 

Sir: Believing it to be proper and just for the administration of 
President Cleveland to have the appointment of a United States min- 
ister abroad who fully represents its views as to foreign policy, I hereby 
tender my resignation as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipo- 
tentiary in Honolulu. It is not in. proper for me to say that I should 
have ottered my resignation about this date had President Harrison 
been reelected, it having been my tirm resolution when I came here in 
1889 not to remain longer than four years at most. I am aware that 
the present Hawaiian Covernment and most of the Americans and 
friends of the United States in these islands have a strong desire that 
I should continue to hold my official position here at present, owing to 
my thorough acquaintance with Hawaiian affairs. 

But if annexation is near being accomplished, I think by the 1st of 
May I can leave here without detriment to publie interests, and that 
whatever further duties may be required of a diplomatic official can be 
safely intrusted to Hon. H. W. Severance, the present consul-general. 
He is well informed as to the history of recent political events here. 
In addition to his four years of consular service in Honolulu he had 
had in former years an extensive acquaintance with these islands. He 
is a gentleman of correct life and has the contidence of the best men 
here, being about 64 years of age. As neither a United States minister 
nor consul is likely to.be needed here long, I would adwse that Mr. 
Severance be continued in office so long as his official services may be 
necessary. 

If annexation is not at present to become an accomplished fact, and 
a minister should be needed here, you will allow the suggestion that he 
should be a superior man of tact, firmness, integrity, and correct life, 
and American to the core. To avoid risks I would advise he be not a 
Californian politician of any party, for owing to contiguity and near 
commercial association a Californian might not be entirely unbiased on 
some questions and interests. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Gresham. 

No. 90.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, March 7, 1893. 
Sir: The political situation here at this time is much the same as it 
was at the dates of my two preceding dispatches. There is general quiet 
throughout the islands and the Provisional Government is getting 
along exceedingly well, all circumstances considered. It is giving sat- 
isfaction to all the better and more responsible citizens. Of course, all 
are awaiting with deep anxiety the result of the action of the Senate 
on the annexation treaty. Mr. Wodehouse, the British minister, is 
trying to embarass it in several particulars, especially its freedom of 
action in respect to its negotiations with the United States. He has 
tried to induce it to request the return to their ship of the marines and 
sailors of the Boston, about 120 in all. He is assuming to urge that the 



148 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



annexation treaty if ratified by the Senate should be submitted here to 
a popular vote, hoping to stir up all the factional and irresponsible 
elements thus to defeat annexation, though none knows better than he 
that such a procedure here under existing conditions would be a farce 
and no test of the opinions of the responsible people of the islands. 

Of course, the views of the English minister in this regard get to the 
public ears and the factional and irresponsible elements are stirred 
more or less by the Canadian, Australian, and American adventurers 
here, of the lottery and opium rings. I think the Provisional Govern- 
ment has answered the English minister very effectively by pointing 
him to the general course of the British Government in its numerous 
annexations of Pacific Islands as "well as of other countries. 

In my dispatch 74 I have given the special personal and family rea- 
sons why Minister Wodehouse wishes the Hawaiian monarchy restored 
and American ascendancy here weakened. Annexation alone will put 
an end to these ultra British intrigues and give Hawaii responsible 
government and great prosperity. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



No. 91.] Mr. Stevens to Mr. Gresham. 

[Confidential ] 

United States Legation, 

Honolulu, March 7, 1893. 

Sie: By the American newspapers it appears, and I have the infor- 
mation from other sources, that a Mr. E. 0. Macfarlane is in Washing- 
ton, professing to be an ardent American, sometimes claiming to be an 
annexationist, but avows himself hostile to the Hawaiian Provisional I 
Government and to the course of the Hawaiian commissioners. 

It is proper for me to inform the Department of State that this man 
is one of the firm of George Macfarlane & Co., referred to by my pre- 
decessor here, Minister Merrill, in his dispatch 78, to Secretary Bayard, 
of September 2, 1886, page 558 of printed volume of diplomatic docu- 
ments. Again, the minister refers to the same firm in his disimtch 138, . 
of August 2, 1887, page 832, printed volume, by which it is seen that 
the firm was a party to defrauding the Hawaiian Government of more 
than $100,000 in negotiating a loan with a London house. For years 
this firm has been ultra English in its political affiliations and mercan- 
tile plans. 

A few months since this E. C. Macfarlane, by intrigues and associa- 
tions became one of the recent Queen's ministers,' minister of finance. 
So unsatisfactory was he to all the best members of the Legislature 
and to the business men of the Islands, that he remained in the min- 
istry but a few days, being voted out by the Legislature though the 
English minister, openly and by -personal effort, and his wife more 
conspicuously in the legislative hall, worked to retain him. After 
Macfarlane was voted out, the English minister used the former as a 
go-between to the Queen to get her to appoint another prO-English 
cabinet, but the effort failed. This E. O. Macfarlane is referred to in 
my 70 and 71. This is the man who sought to get access to President 
Cleveland, at Lakewood, according to the New York and Washington 
papers, and is now posing as an American and is said to be asking a 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



149 



hearing at Washington. He and his brother were born here of Scotch 
parentage, and E. 0. lived several years in California. But American 
interests here have no more unrelenting foe than this liquor-importing 
house of G. W. Macfarlane & Co. 

E. C. Macfarlane is a fitting confederate in Washington, as he has 
been in Honolulu, with Paul Keuman, the deposed Queen's attorney, 
whose character is described in my dispatch 81 of January 26. 
I am, sir, etc., ' 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Gresham to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 79.] Department of State, 

Washington, March 10, 1893. 
Sir: I append a copy of a telegram* received on 8th instant, over 
your signature. 
I am, etc., 

W. Q. Gresham. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Gresham, 

ISTo. 92.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, March 15, 1893. 

Sir: That the Department of State may fully understand the pres- 
ent status of affairs here, it is necessary for me to state as accurately 
as possible the practical working of the qualified and restricted protec- 
torate which the United States officials are exercising here. We have 
never understood this practically to allow us to go much, if any, beyond 
the spirit and terms of Secretary Bayard's dispatch to Minister Merrill 
of July 12, 1887, in printed volume of Foreign Relations of that year, 
page 581, and both the Provisional Government and myself have ever 
construed it as strictly within the limitations specified in Secretary 
Foster's dispatch 71 of February 11, 1893, fully understanding that the 
United States representatives here shall not interfere with the sover- 
eignty nor with the administration of the public affairs of these islands. 
This restricted protectorate has proved more necessary and beneficial 
than was fully perceived when assumed. 

When the Hawaiian monarchy collapsed and the Provisional Govern- 
ment was instituted, there were corruptions and abuses wherever the 
palace power had exercised predominating influence in the selection of 
officials. Time was necessary for the eradication of these evils, for the 
creation of a reliable police, and for the organization and drilling of a 
small military force. Besides the English minister, for reasons indi- 
cated in previous dispatches, was bitterly dissatisfied that I had acted 
independently of him, landing the men of the Boston when they were 
imperatively needed, while there was then no British vessel here. 
According to what was anticipated might occur, not long after our 
restricted protectorate was assumed the British war ship Garnet arrived. 
It was then too late for the English minister to make effective any 
demand to land troops or to insist on dual action with the United States 
minister. Still more, the Japanese commissioner arriving here but a 
short time before the fall of the monarchy, and not fully understanding 
the situation, began to manifest a wish to land men from the Japanese 



* See under date of Maixh. 8, 1893. 



150 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



war vessel in the harbor, and telegraphed Tokio via San Francisco, two 
days after the fall of the monarchy, for another war vessel,, and Febru- 
ary 23, as previously stated in my dispatch 88, one of the largest ships, 
of the Japanese navy arrived here. But it was then too late for the 
intrigues and pressure of the English minister and the arrival of the 
increased Japanese naval force to intervene. It was found that the 
prompt American action had given so much moral support to the new 
Hawaiian Government that neither the Government nor the United 
States officials here would consent to any temporary dual or tripartite 
arrangement as to Hawaiian affairs. 

Yesterday, the 14th, the British ship Garnet left for Vancouver, and 
to-day or to-morrow the Kongo, the smallest Japanese ship, will leave 
for Japan. There is no doubt that but for our protectorate, restricted 
as it is, the British minister would have insisted on the same right to 
land troops that he had formerly exercised here, while our action of 
February 1 and of the days preceding closed the door against compli- 
cations, saved the Provisional Government from foreign pressure, leav- 
ing the United States complete master of the situation. The Japanese 
commissioner and naval commanders now fully recognize the Provis- 
ional Government by official and ceremonial calls, and their attitude 
toward this legation and our naval commanders here appear to be cor- 
dial. But I have learned positively and beyond all doubt that had not 
the monarchy here fallen and this Government had remained in its for- 
mer condition of weakness, it was the intention of the newly arrived 
Japanese commissioner to have demanded the same political rights in 
Hawaii, including the voting franchise for Japanese, as, under the con- 
stitution of 1887. have been exercised by resident foreigners of Christian 
nations. I am equally convinced that with annexation to the United 
States the Japanese Government will attempt no pressure of this kind, 
that Government fully understanding that the United States is a reliable 
friend of Japan and that the Japanese subjects in these islands will be 
well protected should Hawaii come fully under the rule of the United 
States. While I say this I shall be allowed to express the opinion that 
there is occasion for keeping a sharp eye on Tokyo and British and per- 
haps other foreign intrigues there against our plans of predominance 
in the North Pacific. 
I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. GresJiam. 

No. 93.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, March 24, 1893. 
Sir: In my previous dispatches I have given some facts and sur- 
mises regarding Japanese ambitions as to these islands. I presume 
the Department of State has knowledge of the elaborate article of Sir 
Edward Arnold in the London Telegraph of February 24, strongly 
anti-American and favoring the surrender of Hawaii to Japanese pre- 
dominance and protection. By residence in Japan, as well as by some 
previously acquired taste of Calcutta and Hindostan life, Arnold 
seems to accept readily Japanese morals and civilization, warmly flat- 
ters the easily susceptible vanity of the Japanese, the real Frenchmen 
of Asia. My only reason for referring to Sir Edward Arnold and his 
copyrighted London article is because of certain Japanese indications 
m this neighborhood. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



151 



How far these indications have substantial basis in Tokyo of course 
I am unable to say. It is reasonable to presume that this Japanese 
interest in Hawaiian affairs is cherished and pushed forward by at least 
one of the political cliques in the Japanese capital. The sudden 
coming here of the Naniiva, a powerful iron clad, at the telegraphic call 
of the Japanese diplomatic agent here, though the Kongo, a Japanese 
war ship of 2,200 tons, was then here, indicates some sensitive spring of 
action at Tokyo. Just before the fall of the Queen, the Japanese com- 
missioner had positively indicated to me his purpose to press on the 
Hawaiian Government the demand for the amendment of the Hawaiian 
constitution so as to give the Japanese in the islands the same rights 
of suffrage enjoyed by European and American foreigners and 
Hawaiians. He was to demand this in virtue of stipulations which he 
regarded to be in a Japanese treaty with Hawaii secured under the old 
Hawaiian regime prior to the adoption of the reform constitution of 
1887. 

There is every reason to believe that had not the United States flag 
been raised over the Hawaiian Government building, and American 
protection thus secured, it was the intention of the Japanese Commis- 
sioner to have demanded and asserted the right of landing Japanese 
forces from the Naniwa and the h ongo, and thus to have placed Japan- 
ese officials here on equal footing with the representatives of the 
United States, thus establishing a dual arrangement and protection in 
Hawaiian affairs. But when the Naniwa arrived here February 23 
our action of February 1 raising the flag over the Government building 
had completely closed the door, and the Japanese commissioner and 
naval commander saw it would not do to encroach on ground covered 
by United i^tates protection. Of course, the only hope of the Japanese 
jingo to carry out the suffrage scheme would be iu the restoration of 
the Queen, who is ready secretly to promise anything for Japanese help 
in her monarchical design. Lately I have had several interviews with 
the Japanese commissioner of a friendly character. 1 have reminded 
him of the long-existing friendship and good relations between Japan 
and the United States, and why those relations are likely to exist in 
the future. 

I called his attention to and explained our many years of special rela- 
tions to and interest in these islands, and gave him to understand that 
we would view any encroachment on the sovereignty and soil of 
Hawaii by a foreign power much the same as an encroachment on the 
soil and rights of the United States. I assured him that in case annex- 
ation should become a fact we should strictly protect the life, property, 
and interests of all residents of the islands. I approached this point 
with so much caution and with such friendly words that I am confi- 
dent he appreciated the weight of my reasons and the kindly vigor 
with which I stated them. Since these interviews with the Japanese 
commissioner I have learned of his saying to one of the principal men 
of the Provisional Government that he thinks it does not matter much 
who control the islands provided that the laws were well enforced and 
the life and property of the residents well secured. 

Apparently at this writing the Japanese commissioner is more 
responsive to the wishes and purposes of the United States representa- 
tives here than to those of any other power. Yet I can but regard it 
all important for us to hold our position on shore firmly, especially so 
long as the Nanhca remains in Hawaiian waters. 

There is no doubt that the foreign adventurers here, especially the 
lottery and opium rings that drew the Queen to her overthrow, will do 



152 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



their utmost to seduce the Japauese officials by stimulating their ani- 
mosities and aspirations. Among these adventurers are well known 
here to be Paul Heuman, the fallen Queen's attorney, now or recently 
in Washington. He is in the paid employ of the Tokyo contract labor 
importing ring, who for years have been bleeding the Hawaiian 
planters and the Japanese laborers out of large sums of money. There 
are the best reasons for the belief that this Tokyo ring and their co- 
partners here are opposing annexation because they believe that Amer- 
ican possession will put an end to their corrupt work and large gains. 
Careful inquiry leads to the conclusion that this Tokyo ring, aided by 
Englishmen and others like Sir Edward Arnold, are stimulating Japan 
ese ambitions and interference here. Highly-placed Englishmen will 
do this, because they prefer Japanese influence should predominate 
rather than American. Annexation would end forever all schemes of 
this kind. Certain it is that at present it would be risking too much 
to withdraw our protecting flag and armed marines from Honolulu until 
this Japanese menace shall have completely terminated and the un- 
scrupulous ring of foreign adventurers can no longer make use of it as 
an agency of reaction and misrule. 

All friends of the United States in these islands, and none more 
keenly than the Provisional Government, appreciate this, and are anx- 
ious for the continued support and protection of the United States. 
Had I failed to give to the Department of State the information and 
suggestions contained in this dispatch, I would have keenly realized 
that I had failed of my duty as an American minister at this important 
juncture of Hawaiian affairs. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 

Kote. — I have in the above and a preceding dispatch spoken of the 
presence here of the Japanese war ship, the Kongo. While in these 
waters that ship made a visit to Hilo early in March. While at Hilo 
the conversation related in the inclosed paper took place on board that 
ship, which may be read in connection with my accompanying dispatch 
93. I also inclose printed slips of the Honolulu Advertizer, the chief 
newspaper on the islands, strongly American in its views and senti- 
ments : 

Copy of language used by the captain of the Japanese war ship Kongo while in the harbor 

of Hilo, March 5 or 6. 

INTERVIEW OF JAPANESE INTERPRETER. 

I have jnst had a long talk with Mr. LeKoy, the Japanese interpreter for the Hilo 
district. He was the only one who had a talk with the captain of the Kongo dur- 
ing her presence in the harbor, and I quote his own language. 

" Sunday afternoon when the Kongo arrived the surgeon of the ship called upon 
me and asked about the heal h of the port. I referred him to Dr. Williams, the 
Government physician, and then he handed me a sealed letter; upon the upper corner 
of the envelope were the words 'official business/ 

" Upon opening it I found a communication from the captain of the Kongo, who 
asked me to visit the ship the next day. I accepted, and Monday afternoon went 
on board. The captain took me into his cabin, away from the others, and, after a* 
few introductory remarks, he said: 

" 'What is the sentiment of the Japanese on the islnnds? Ho they not side with 
the natives?'' I assured him that such did not seem to be the case. 

" ' In case/ he continued, 'that there should be trouble, would they not bear arms 
with the Hawaiians?' 

" This question rather puzzled me, but I told him I did not think so. 

"He went over the same ground several times, and, from what he said, I am con- 
vinced he was not pleased with the attitude the Japanese had taken. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 153 

"I then asked him what the Kongo had come to Hilo for, and he replied, "To pro- 
tect the rights of Japanese.' 
"'How so?' 

"'Well, there are many ways.' I asked him if he intended to take any definite 
action. 'No,' said he, 'I must consult with the captain of theNanitva. I have to 
consult Avith him at Honolulu.' I then referred to the appearance of the U. 8. S. 
Alliance. He shrugged his shoulders, and I said, 'I suppose she came to watch us; 
• but she is a wooden tub, anyway.'" 



Stevens to Mr. Qreslwm. 

]^o. 94.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, April 4, 1893. 

Sir : Your dispatch of March 11 was placed in my hands by Special 
Commissioner Hon. James H. Blount. So long as I remain in service 
here I shall endeavor faith f ally to carry out the instructions of the 
Secretary of State. 

The presence of the men from the TJ. S. S. Boston on shore from Jan- 
uary 16 to April 1 had a remarkably beneficial influence on public affairs 
in the islands, safeguarding American life and property and encourag- 
ing the elements of public order. When the Hawaiian monarchy fell 
under the weight of its astounding corruptions and by its own suicidal 
hand, there remained here no reliable organized police, and there was no 
military force in all the islands with a population of nearly 100,00'J. The 
supporters of the Provisional Government having had little or no mili- 
tary experience, an organized military force could not be created at once. 
Time was absolutely necessary. The presence of the few United States 
soldiers with their country's flag was of incalcuable importance to the 
only existing and only possible government for Hawaii. When the 
men of the Boston went to their ship, April 1 the Provisional Gov- 
ernment had at its command a military force of 400 men — the most 
effective ever known in the islands — and an organized police with a 
tried and efficient man at the head. The remarkable change accom- 
pl.shed in seventy-five days had been without the loss of life or the 
destruction of property. Had the United States minister and the 
naval commander not acted as they did they would have deserved 
prompt removal from their places and the just censure of the friends 
of humanity and of civilization. 

The general aspect of Hawaiian affairs at this time is highly encourag- 
ing. The Provisional Government is gaining in public confidence and 
popular support. There is complete good order throughout the islands. 
The present government is supported by all the more responsible citi- 
zens and by seven eighths of the property of the country. By all the 
best citizens it is regarded the best government the islands have had 
for many years. The friends of annexation continue to increase and 
now include all the supporters of the Provisional Government, the prin- 
cipal property holders, and a large number of native Hawaiians. 

With my family I intend to leave Honolulu for our home in Maine 
in the steamer of May 24. Unless otherwise directed, I will leave the 
archives, books, and other property of the legation in care of Hon. H. 
W. Severance, the consul-general. Owing to the advanced years and 
imperfect health of Mrs. Stevens and myself, it will be necessary for 
us to have repeated stopping for rest on our long journey, though we 
expect to make our home tiansit inside of the thirty- five days allowed 
by law. 

I am, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



154 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Gresliam to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 81.] Department of State, 

Washington, April 18, 1893. 
Sir: I have received your No. 92, of the 15th ultimo, relative to the 
Provisional Government recently established in Hawaii, and the atti- 
tude of the British and Japanese representatives with respect thereto. 
1 am, etc., 

W. Q. Gresham. 



Mr, Gresliam to Mr. Stevens, 

[Telegram.] 

* 

Department op State, 

Washington, April 25, 1893. 
In view of your tender of resignation dated March 7 and of your dis- 
patch 94 of April 4. I am directed by the President to inform you that 
your resignation is accepted. You are therefore authorized to quit 
your post at your early convenience, leaving the archives and property 
of the legation in custody of Consul- General Severance without diplo- 
matic functions. 

Gresham. 



Mr. A dee to Mr. Stevens. 

Tso. 82. J Department of State, 

Washington, April 27, 1893. 
Sir: I have received your dispatches numbered 89 and 94, of 7th 
ultimo and 4th instant, and with reference thereto append a copy of a 
telegram* of 25th instant accepting your resignation. 
I am, etc., 

Alvey A. Adee, 

Acting Secretary. 

*See under date of April 25, 1893. 



Mr. Gresham to Mr. Stevens. 

No. 83.] Department of State, 

Washington, May 4, 1893. 
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 93, of the 24th 
March last, and the newspaper extracts therewith, concerning rumors 
and reports of a desire on the part of Japan to improve its footing in 
the Hawaiian Islands. 
I am, etc., 

W. Q. Gresham. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



155 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Gresham. 

No. 96.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, May 18, 1893. 
Sir: Agreeably to your instructions I have turned over the archives 
and other property of the legation to Hon. James (x. Blount, my suc- 
cessor as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the 
United States. Herewith is inclosed his receipt for the same. A dupli- 
cate copy I leave at the legation. I leave here with my family and 
the remains of my deceased daughter May 24. Had it been possible 
to have secured proper steamer accommodations we would have left 
Honolulu ten days earlier, though that would have been several days 
prior to your dispatch directing me to place the legation in charge of 
Mr. Blount. 

I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Mr. Blount to Mr. Gresham. 

No. 1.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, May 24, 1893. 

Sra: I received by the Australia arriving here on the 17th instant 
two telegrams from you, dated on the 9th instant, forwarded through 
W. A. Cooper, United States Dispatch agent at San Francisco. 

I regret very much that it was found necessary to appoint me as 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Hawaiian 
Islands. 

On the afternoon of the former date I took the oath of office — which 
I inclose herewith — and have taken charge of the records and property 
of the legation. 

I have done so because I supposed from the circumstance that I was 
appointed against a declaration on my part co you in Washington that 
I could not accept it, that some important reason, not contained in the 
telegram, made it desirable to the President and yourself that Mr. 
Stevens' connection with the legation should be promptly severed. 

I inclose herewith my resignation of the office, with the request that 
it be accepted, and my successor appointed as soon as practicable. 
I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

James H. Blount. 



[Inclosure 2 in No. 1.] 

Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, May 24, 1893. 
Sir: I herewith tender my resignation of the office of Envoy Extraordinary and 
Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Hawaiian Islands, to take effect 
on your acceptance thereof. 
With profound admiration for you officially and personally, 
I am, very respectfully, your ohedient servant, 

James H. Blount, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. 
His Excellency Grover Cleveland, 

President of the United States of America. 



156 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Blount to Mr. Gresham. 

No. 2.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, May 24, 1S93. 

Sir: The letters of Mr. Nordhoff to the New York Herald, on the 
situation of affairs in the Hawaiian Islands, have produced intense re- 
sentment in the minds of American residents and of white annexation- 
ists generally here. 

On the 21st instant Dr. J. C. McGrew, who claims to be an American 
citizen, and who is a leading member of the Annexation Club, and the 
editor in chief of the Hawaiian Star, which belongs to the Annexa- 
tion Club and is a quasi official organ of the Government, reported to 
Admiral Skerrett that there had been quite an excitement all day long 
amongst persons who were offended by Mr. Nordhoff's letters, and that 
he had scarcely been able to restrain them from insulting Mr. Nordhoff 
by applying to him a coat of tar and feathers. 

I immediately addressed a note to Mr. Dole, a copy of which I in- 
close herewith. (Inclosure No. 1.) 

Later in the day Dr. McGrew informed Admiral Skerrett that there 
would be no effort to tar and leather Mr. Nordhoff, but that proceed- 
ings would be taken the next day in court against him. 

The following day brought no answer from President Dole to my 
communication. 

In the afternoon of the 22d instant, a paper was served upon Mr. 
Nordhoff — a copy of which I inclose. 

The assertion of a power under the color of law to hold Mr. Nordhoff 
responsible for the publication of his letters jn the New York Herald 
being regarded as without warrant of authority and in violation of 
his rights as an American citizen, I determined immediately to com- 
municate to the Government a denial of their right to proceed against 
him on account of said publication. 

Desiring to avoid any semblance of too great readiness to enter into 
a controversy with the Hawaiian Government oyer this matter, I went 
to see President Dole, and called attention to the action of the attorney 
general and informed him that the Government of the United States 
would not submit to the exercise of such a prerogative on the part of 
the Hawaiian Government; that I deemed it proper to hold a conver- 
sation with him, hoping to avoid thereby any official correspondence 
which might produce acerbity or the slightest estrangement. He re- 
plied that he was very much obliged to me for having taken such a 
course, and that the question raised would be examined and the con- 
clusions reached communicated to me. 

He then referred to my letter, saying that he would have answered 
it, but supposed that it was intended simply to give him notice of the 
facts stated. I replied that I regretted he had not seen fit to give me 
any information concerning the matter in writing in order that the same 
might be forwarded to the Government of the United States; that I 
hoped the additional subject of controversy, to which I invited his at- 
tention, would be adjusted in a manner consistent with the honor of the 
United States, and so speedily that I might be able to communicate this 
also to the home Government. After some conversation on this sub- 
ject he informed me that the advisory council had requested Mr. Nord- 
hoff to come before it, and asked me if I thought he would come, as it 
was only a request. To this I answered, u I presume not. Whatever 
information Mr. Nordhoff may have obtained carried with it an obliga- 
tion of privacy, which I do not believe he would violate." 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



157 



All this occurred on the street, and as we were about to part, I said 
to him that I should call on Mr. Nordhoff, and let him know the status 
of the affair; that I felt it my duty to give him such assurances as would 
conduce to his sense of security. To this he responded : " I have taken 
precautions against any violence being done to him, although I do not 
think he is in any danger." 

I immediately sent to Mr. Nordhoff's house and was at first pre- 
vented from entering the yard by two policemen. I am persuaded, 
however, that this was an unintentional error on their part and not in 
pursuance of their instructions. 

In conversation with Mr. Nordhoff he told me he had been summoned 
before the advisory council. On reaching home I found the docu- 
ment, a copy of which I inclose herewith (No. 3). 

It had very little the appearance to my mind of a request. On the 
23d I had Mr. Kordhoff come to the legation headquarters at 9 o'clock, 
and requested him to remain there until I should return from the Gov- 
ernment building where I was about to proceed to make formal an- 
nouncement of my appointment as envoy extraordinary and minister 
plenipotentiary. 

I do not deem it necessary to report the speech of myself or President 
Dole, but simply to say that the}?- contained those manifestations of 
friendship usually occurring on such occasions between friendly powers. 

After this ceremony was over President Dole expressed a desire to 
speak with me on the subject of the legal proceedings instituted by the 
attorney- general against Mr. Nordhoff, and likewise the action of the 
advisory council and my verbal complaint in relation thereto. He 
began by desiring an appointment with me sometime during the day in 
order to communicate with me what had occurred in the matter of the 
consideration of the subject by the law officers of the Government. I 
said that I hoped it would be disposed of as promptly as possible; and 
that I had foreborne any written communication on the subject in the 
interest of good will between the two countries; that unless the matter 
was disposed of speedily I must address him a communication. 

He asked me if Mr. Nordhoff would go before the council and make 
an apology"? To this I responded that I did not think he would; that 
I could not advise him to such a course; that after denunciation by the 
"Star," the Annexation Club organ, threats of insult by tarring and 
feathering, proceedings instituted by the attorney-general in the local 
courts, and the action of the advisory council, such an apology would 
have the appearance of compulsion, to which I was not willing to see 
an American citizen subjected. 

At this hour (10:40) I am awaiting a communication from the Gov- 
ernment. To avoid any additional complications I have advised Mr. 
Nordhoff to remain at the legation. 

At 2 :10 p. m. a communication was received from President Dole, 
through his secretary, a copy of which I inclose herewith (No. 4). 
Whereupon Mr. Nordhoff left the legation for his residence. 

At 4:30 p. m. of the same day, the 23d instant, not hearing anything 
from President Dole, I sent my secretary, Mr. Mills, to inquire whether 
he would call during the day, and if so, at what time? He sent me 
a verbal message by Mr. Mills to the effect that he was not under the 
impression that he was to have any further conversation with me, 
having had one at the Government building. Of course this was a 
misunderstanding between us. He further stated that the advisory 
council had referred the subject to the attorney- general, to inquire 



158 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



whether any civil or criminal proceedings would be taken against Mr. 
tfordhoff. 

Thereupon 1 determined to forward to him a letter (a copy of which 
I inclose, No. 5), which I had written on yesterday afternoon, but had 
withheld it, hoping for a speedy adjustment of the difference without 
its being placed in writing. 

I recognize the obligation of an American citizen residing in a foreign 
country to obey its laws. 

It has appeared to me that the doctrine laid down by Mr. Bayard in 
the case of A. K. Cu f ting, September 9, 1885, is applicable to the pend- 
ing case. If this be true then the issue may as rightfully be made 
before the consideration of the cause as subsequent thereto. 

Yesterday afternoon the Hon. John L. Stevens called to see me. He 
was exceedingly bitter against Mr. NordhofT — charging him with 
treasonable conduct and displaying the most eager interest in the 
matter of the action of the Hawaiian Government against him. 
Amongst other things he alleged that Mr. Nordhorf had been conspir- 
ing with the royalists to overthrow the Provisional Government, and 
that the Government had the evidence against him in black and white. 
I asked him how this came to his knowledge? He replied, "Well, I 
have it, anyhow; and they ought to have it." 

I very much fear that his relations to the people here, and his bitter 
feeling against Mr. Nordhoff, has contributed to produce an abnormal 
excitement against the latter. 

I believe the situation was such as made it necessary for me to 
promptly act in the manner related. 

The objectionable correspondence heretofore referred to was pub- 
lished in the Daily Bulletin. So far as I know it is not claimed by the 
authorities here that Mr. IsTordhoff had anything to do with its publi- 
cation. 

I inclose herewith a copy of a communication from him (No. 6). „ 
I expect that action will be taken requiring Mr. Nordhoff to leave 

the country. Should this occur I shall not deem it my duty to make 

objection. 

I am, etc., 

James M. Blount, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister 
Plenipotentiary of the United States, 



[Inclosure 1 in No. 2.] 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, May 21, 1893. 
Sir: I beg your attention to the following statement from Admiral Skerrett: 
"I was informed to-day upon reliable authority — the authority being Dr. J. S." 
McGrew — that some exasperated citizens of Honolulu had taken great offense at the 
wording of a letter supposed to have been written by Mr. Nordhoff, a United 
States citizen, and newspaper correspondent of the New York Herald, which state- 
ment that he had received from Certain persons in Honolulu, he communicated to 
his naper. 

Threats have been made with regard to his possible maltreatment, such threats 
being tar and feathering, and other things." 

Mr. Nordhoff being an eminent citizen of the United States, 1 deem it proper to 
call your attention to this matter. 
Very respectfully, 

James H. Blount, 
United States Special Commissioner, 

Hon. S. B. Dole, 

Minister of Foreign Affairs. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



159 



[Enclosure 2 in No. 2.] 

Department of the Attorney-General, 

Honolulu, May 22, 1S93. 
Sir: The inclosed statement, which you have caused to be published in the New 
York Herald, and which has been republished in the Honolulu Bulletin, is known by 
this Government to be false, and is regarded as malicious and libelous. Unless you 
retract the same at once, and give the retraction equal publicity with the libel, 
proceedings will be instituted against you. 
I have, etc., 

William O. Smith, 

Attorney- General. 

Mr. Charles Nordhoff. 

MINISTER STEVENS' INTRIGUE. 

Minister Stevens has been engaged all the last week in an intrigue having for its 
object to alarm the Queen and cause her to abdicate. Mr. Dole, head of the Provi- 
sional Government, has been, it is understood, working with the American minister 
at this enterprise, and reports have been set afloat that President Cleveland wishes 
her to make a cession of the islands to the United States; that Commissioner Blount 
would be pleased if she did ; that Mr. Blount is going away soon ; that he intends 
to lajid troops again and hoist the American flag; that he is unhappy over the situ- 
ation; that he is afraid to leave here even to visit some of the other islands without 
first putting an American garrison in possession of Honolulu, and so forth. 



[Inclosure 3 in ISTo. 2.] 

In the name of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands: 

To the Marshal of the Hawaiian Islands, or his deputy on the Island of Oahu 
greeting : 

Whereas, by a resolution of the executive and advisory councils adopted on the 
22d day of May, A. D. 1893, a copy of which is as follows: 

" Whereas the following statement, among others, has been published in the 
Daily Bulletin in a letter purporting to have been written by Mr. Charles Nordhoff, 
viz: 

u SHREWD LOTTERY MEN. 

" It is not necessary to give more names. A good many retail merchants, grocers, 
clothing sellers, etc., are on the lottery petitions, and I am told the labor union 
men, now all annexationists, went in almost in a body for the lottery, as well as 
most of the members of the Provisional Assembly." 

And whereas said statement, as far as it applies to the Provisional Assembly, is 
wholly false, 

Resolved, That said Charles Nordhoff be cited to appear before this assembly on 
Tuesday, May 23, A. D. 1893, at 11 o'clock a. m., to show upon what authority he 
has based such assertions. It was voted that Charles Nordhotf be cited to appear 
before said Assembly on Tuesday, the 23d day of May instant, at 11 o'clock a.m., 
to show upon what authority he based his said assertion. 

Now, therefore, you are commanded to cite said Charles Nordhoff, if he can be 
found within your jurisdiction, to appear before the executive and advisory coun- 
cils of the Provisional Government, at the Council Chamber iu Honolulu, on Tues- 
day, the 23d day of May, A. D. 1893, at 11 o'clock a. m., to answer to such complaint 
as may be made against him. 

Witness: Hon. Sanford B. Dole, President of the executive and advisory coun- 
cils of the Provisional Government at Honolulu, this 23d day of May, A. D. 1893. 

Charles T. Eogers, 
Secretary Executive and Advisory Councils. 

Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, May 22, 1893. 
I hereby certify the within to be a true and correct copy of the original in re the 
Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands vs. Charles Nordhoff, citation to 
be and appear before the executive and advisory councils of the said Provisional 
Government, 

C. G. Hitchcock, 
Marshal, Hawaiian Islands, 



160 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



[Inclosure 4 in ~No. 2.] 

Department of Foreign Affairs, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, May S3, 1893. 
Sir: I hare the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's letter as 
United States Special Commissioner of the 21st instant, calling my attention to a 
statement by Rear Admiral Skerritt, that threats had been tua e by exasperated 
citizens of Honolulu of maltreatment of Mr. Charles Nordhoff". a citizen of the United 
States and the correspondent of the New York Herald. 

In reply I beg to express regret that any such violence as your letter suggests has 
been threatened Mr. Nordhoff, and have called the attention of the proper authori- 
ties of the Government to the matter, and have taken steps for his protection against 
any violence whatever during his residence here. 
With sentiments of the highest regard and esteem, 

I have the honor to be, sir, your excellency's obedient servant, 

Sanford B. Dole, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

His Excellency James H. Blount, 

United States Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, Honolulu. 



[Inclosure 5 in No. 2.] 

Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, May 22, 1893. 

Sir: I have been handed the following communication from Mr. Charles Nordhoff. 
(See inclosure No. 2, Attorney-General W. O. Smith to Mr. Nordhoff.) 

The New York Herald is a paper not published in the Hawaiian Islands, and the 
proposition that the Government thereof can take jurisdiction of the author of the 
article aforesaid on account of its publication in the United States is wholly inad- 
missible. It is equivalent to asserting that the Hawaiian Government can 1 ake 
jurisdiction over the authors of the various criticisms of political affairs in the Ha- 
waiian Islands which appear in the newspapers of the United States. 

To an assumption of such jurisdiction by the Hawaiian Government the Govern- 
ment of the United States will not submit. It will not permit that this prerogative 
shall be in any degree usurped by the Hawaiian Government, nor will it permit a 
citizen of the United States to be called to account by the Hawaiian Government 
for acts done withiu the boundaries of the United States. 

On this ground I insist that no procedings shall be taken against Mr. Nordhoff 
s^ch as are indicated in the letter signed W. O. Smith, Attorney-General. 

Since writing the foregoing I find the following paper has been served on Mr. Nord- 
hoff. (See inclosure No. 3. — "In the name of the Provisional Government, etc.") 

Permit me to say that in my judgment this, and the foregoing proceeding, under 
the color of law, is a violation of the rights of Mr. Nordhoff as an American citizen. 

When I remember how on the 16th of January last, at the request of your leading 
citizens, American troops were landed and brought quiet to the homes of the people 
of this city, it is passing strange to me to tind an eminent citizen of the United States 
subjected to such outrage at the hands of the Provisi nal Government of these Islands. 

I can but hope that this action will be, on reconsideration, repudiated. 

While I desire to promote the kindliest feelings between your Government and 
mine, I shall not forget that one of the proudest reflections of the American people 
is their disposition and ability to protect an American citizen throughout the civil- 
ized world. 

I am, etc., 

James H. Blount. 
E. E. and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. 

Hon. Sanford B. Dole,^ 

Presiaent, etc., of th'e Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 



[Inclosure 6 in No. 2.] 

Honolulu, May 23, 1893. 
Dear Sir: In reply to your question I say that the publication in the Bulletin of 
my letters to the New York Herald was without my knowledge and consent; that is 
to say, I knew nothing at all about it. 
Yours, truly, 

Charles Nordiioff, 

His excellency James H. Blount, 

Minister of the United States., 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



161 



Mr. Blount to Mr. Gresliam. 

No. 3.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, Ha waiian Islands, May 29, 1893. 

Sir: Just before the leaving of the Australia, on the 24th instant, 
there came to me, too late for mailing to you, a communication from 
President Dole, a copy of which I inclose (No. 1). 

At this date (May 29) nothing further has been heard. 

I suggested to President Dole and the attorney -general, in conver- 
sations with them, that if Mr. ^Tordhoff was so obnoxious they might 
possibly require him to leave the country. This did not seem to im- 
press them favorably. Indeed, the whole proceeding in relation to him 
seems to have been animated by the spirit of crushing out all opposing 
opinions by forceful methods. 

I do not expect the Government to recur to this matter again until a 
mail from the United States brings some letter to the Herald from Mr. 
"Nordhoff, criticising the action of the annexationists. Then. I expect 
it to be very much stirred again with anger toward him. 

The action I have already taken will restrain it from excesses. 

The Hawaiian Star, which is the annexation organ, commenting on 
the stay of proceedings against Mr. Nordhoff, published an editorial 
entitled " The Cutting Precedent," a copy of which I inclose herewith. 
(No. 2.) 

i also inclose another comment from the same paper, entitled " The 
Farce of Protection." (No. 3.) 

The editor-in-chief of this paper, prior to my taking any notice of the 
temper of the community towards Mr. Nordhoff, went to Admiral 
Skerrett late in the afternoon and informed him that he had been all 
day endeavoring to prevent the people from tarring and feathering Mr. 
Nordhoff; that up to that time he had been able to prevent it, and 
called on Admiral Skerrett to do what he could with the same view. 

Admiral Skerrett communicating the facts to me I communicated 
them to President Dole. On his motion he sent the police to Mr. 
NordhofFs house. 

The situation, therefore, will appear somewhat graver than in my 
former dispatch, in which the statement of Admiral Skerrett was not 
as full as herein contained. 

I hope you will not underrate the excitement which prompted all my 
actions in regard to Mr. Nordhoff. 

I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

JA3ies H. Blount, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. 



[iBCiosure 1 in No. 3, Diplomatic Series.] 

Department of Foreign Affairs, 

Honolulu, May 24, 1893. 
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of yonr letter of the 22d Instant 
'elating to Mr. Nordhoff, and to state in reply that upon full consideration of the 
questions involved this Government has decided to take no criminal proceedings 
against Mr. Nordhoff for what was suggested as contempt against the advisory 
council of this Government. 

In respect of the matters referred to in the attorney-general's letter to Mr. Nord- 
hoff, this Government does not propose to take any proceedings in contravention of 
the view of international law expressed by the United States Government in the 
Cutting case; hut there is apparently this distinction to he noted in the two mat- 
ters, viz, That Mr. Cutting was in the United States when he made the publication 

H. Ex. 48—11 



162 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



objected to by the Mexican Government, whereas Mr. Nordhoff, while in the Ha- 
waiian Islands and under the jurisdiction of its courts, has written articles defama- 
tory of this Government, which were published in the United States in a newspaper 
which is freely circulated in the Hawaiian Islands, and which articles have been 
republished here. 

I beg to inform you that this Government will rigidly adhere to the rules of inter- 
national law in respect of this matter as in all other matters, and in that view has 
referred to its law advisers the question of Mr. XordhofFs civil liability in the 
premises. 

I have the honor to be Your Excellency's obedient servant, 

Saxford B. Dole. 
Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

To His Excellency J. H. Blount. 

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at Honolulu. 



[Inclosure 2 in No. 3.] 
[From the Hawaiian Star, May 24, 1893.] 
THE CUTTING PRECEDENT. 

The Cutting case, which was cited by United States Minister Blount in behalf of 
Charles Nordhoff, is a well-remembered episode in the criminal practice of inter- 
national law. Mr. Cutting was a citizen of the United States, who lived at Juarez, 
formerly Paso del Norte, on the Mexican side of the Eio Grande border. At outs 
with an official of the Mexican Government, he assaulted him bitterly in a paper 
juiblished on the Texas side of the line at El Paso, for which offense he was ar- 
rested by the Mexican authorities and thrust iuto jail. The American Secretary of 
State thereupon demanded and enforced his release on the ground that a citizen of 
the United States could not be criminally punished by the Government of a foreign 
country for a libelous publication made on American soil, holding that the in- 
jured party must seek redress in the courts within the jurisdiction of which the 
offense of publication had been committed. 

Such a rule as this would, for example, apply to George Keunan, author of the 
Century papers on Siberia, in case he should, upon another visit to Russia, be crim- 
inally prosecuted by the Czar for the libels which the Russian Government claim he 
committed in his accounts of official cruelties practiced upon Siberian convicts. The 
Imperial Government would doubtless be informed by the American Foreign Office 
that its only remedy — except the deportation of Mr. Kennan as an undesirable vis- 
itor — lay in his prosecution in the courts of the United States and before a jury of 
his peers. No doubt in Mr. Kennan's case the validity of this argument would be as 
proinr>tly admitted by Russia as it was when applied a year ago to Poultney Bigelow 
and Frederick Remington, who went into the Empire on a mission similar to that of 
Kennan, but were arrested lor it and expelled from the country. That they would 
have been otherwise punished but for the force of the international rule laid down 
in the Cutting case can hardly be doubted by any one who is familiar with the tend- 
encies of the Czar towards those who write, speak, or act against his mode of gov- 
ernment. 

Mr. Nordhoff" is of course fortunate that by appeal to American precedent he has 
escaped another humiliation : but that fact does not alter the circumstances that, 
morally speaking, and in a way amenable to civil damages, he libeled Minister 
Stevens and President Dole and deserved the punishment whieh Hawaiian criminal 
law would have been likely to inliict upon him. His guilt is patent, though the con- 
sequences of it may have been avoided. The only gratification he can feel is that 
of an apprehended" miscreant who escapes his deserts through a merely technical 
plea against the jurisdiction of the judge. 



[Inclosure 3 in No. 3, Diplomatic Series.] 
[From the Hawaiian Star, May 23, 1893. 
THE FARCE OF PROTECTION. 

A broad smile of amusement went across the face of the town last evening, when 
it was learned that Mr. Nordhotf had applied for protection to the United States min- 
ister, and that, at the request of the latter, the Provisional Government had detailed 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



163 



two native policemen to guard the Herald correspondent's lodgings. In view of the 
fact that Mr. Nordhoff is as safe in Honolulu as he could be at his sequestered home 
on Coronado Beach, the whole episode becomes a tax upon the risibles. 

Careful inquiry shows that the only basis for the Herald man's fears — apart from 
that conscience which, as the poet says, " Doth make cowards of us all" — was a stray 
remark here and there that he ought to be tarred and feathered. As Mr. Nordhoff is 
well aware, such talk is often heard in times of political debate, and is but the 
smallest of small change in the circulation of public opinion. It is the coinage of idle 
chat merely; in this case particularly so, as the annexation party is standing on its 
dignity as a representative Hawaiian body, asking admission to the American brother- 
hood on the ground, among other grounds, that in civilization, Christianity, and 
moral purpose it is Avorthy of the fellowship. It could not be induced to do or per- 
mit a ruffianly act, a fact which we believe Mr. Nordhoff himself appreciates as well 
as anyone else. 

Why, then, did he ask protection? Wait and see ! If he doesn't use the fact that 
he got it to fill the columns of the Herald with a lurid tale of how he escaped death 
at the hands of an infuriated annexation mob, only to be saved by the intervention 
of Minister Blount and the reluctant display of provisional force, then the Star misses 
a reasonable guess. The two shirt-sleeved native policemen who dawdle about his 
palace dozing and yawning will doubtless be magnified into a garrison of men in 
buckram surrounded and besieged by bloodthirsty planters or missionaries all eager 
to flesh their daggers in the heart of the one bold correspondent who had exposed 
their foul conspiracies and haled their cause to the bar of public judgment. Life 
will hardly be worth Mr. Nordhoff's living until he can get some such phantasma- 
goria before the Herald's readers, as evidence that all he had previously said against 
the nature and personnel of the annexation movement is true. 

In the meantime it is to be hoped that the two native guardians of Mr. Nordhoff 's 
person and peace will manage to keep awake during the drowsy days and soporific 
nights which envelop the pastoral region of Nuuanu street. 



Mr. Blount to Mr. Gresham. 

No. 4.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, June 1, 1893. 

Sir : I send you a communication to-day signed as special commis- 
sioner because it relates to the object for which my appointment in that 
capacity was made. 

I was sworn in as minister because I believed that some public rea- 
son for my temporary appointment influenced it. I could not under 
the circumstances do otherwise. 

I now earnestly urge the immediate appointment of some person as 
my successor. 

My resignation was forwarded in the form which you have seen be- 
cause I did not deem it respectful to tender it absolutely when some 
temporary and public reason might have made it seem improper for me 
to do so. 

If you have appointed a good man for consul-general here I do not 
see why he might not take charge of the affairs of the legation. 
I am, etc., 

James H. Blount. 



Mr. Blount to Mr. Gresham. 

No. 5.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, June jf, 1893. 
Sir: Last night about 11 o'clock three sticks of giant powder were 
found, accompanied by some preparation of mercury. Suspicion is 
rife with royalists and annexationists. 



164 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



The place where. they were found is near the Barracks. Believing it 
was intended to blow up the Barracks the soldiers have been removed 
this morning into the Palace grounds. 

The mail leaves very soon and I can not get any fall or accurate state- 
ment. 

I do not think it indicate- any general movement, but rather seems 
to be confined to a few white persons. 
I am, etc., 

Jazvies H. Blount. 



Mr. G resit am to Mr. Blount. 

So. 5.] DEPAE13IENT OF STATE. 

Washington, June 23, 1893. 
Sie : I transmit for your information a copy of a note of the minister 
of Hawaii, touching the recall by the Provisional Government of the 
Commission appointed last January for the purpose of negotiating 
terms for the union of the Hawaiian Islands with the United States, 
and announcing his readiness to resume the subject at any convenient 
time. 

I am, etc., 

W. Q. Geeshax. 



Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresham. 

So. 1.?] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, November 6 } 1893. 

Sie: I beg to inform the Department that I reached San Francisco 
on the 27th ultimo and sailed the following day. arriving in this city on. 
Saturday. November 4th. at 9 a. m. 

On Saturday night I was tendered a serenade by the band of the 
Provisional Government, which passed off quietly and pleasantry. 
Having received information through our consul-general, Mr. Mills, 
that the Koyalist party were contemplating a counter serenade and 
demonstration to-night, I strongly discouraged such action and it has 
been abandoned. 

I addressed a note this morning to Hon. Sanford B. Dole, minister 
of foreign affairs, asking him to designate a convenient time and place 
when I could present the letters of recall and of credence which I bore, 
a copy of which I transmit herewith together with his reply, designat- 
ing 11 o'clock of the forenoon, to-morrow, the 7th instant, as the time 
for the presentation at the Executive building. 1 also inclose the 
remarks which I propose to make upon the occasion referred to, a copy 
of which I sent to the Provisional Government. 

Admiral Skerrett and his staff paid me the usual official call at 10 
o'clock this morning, which in company with Consul-General Mills I 
returned this afternoon at 3, receiving from the flagship the customary 
official courtesies. I afterwards called on Capt. Xelson, commanding 
the Ada m s. where I also met with a cordial reception. 

I send by mail to-morrow per steamship China a cipher telegram, as 
to the landing from steamship A ustralia last Saturday, of Winchester 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



165 



rifles and ammunition, and the reported intention of the Provisional 
Government to issue a proclamation establishing a republic, the con- 
stitution for which, it is said, has been already prepared by Mr. Hatch, 
a member of the present cabinet. 

The city is full of rumors, and the excitement is increasing every 
hour. I shall, therefore, avail myself of the earliest opportunity, after 
my credentials are approved, to carry out the instructions of the De- 
partment. The next steamer leaving here after to-morrow will be the 
Australia, which sails on Saturday, the 11th of November, by which 
time 1 hope to be able to give you reliable information as to the present 
attitude of all parties. 

Mr. Mills has given me active and valuable assistance. 

I have thus far had no communication with either of the opposing 
parties, except as herein stated. 

With sentiments of high regard, I am, etc., 

Albert S. Willis. 



[Inclosure 1 in No. 1.] 

Mr. Willis to Mr. Dole. 

Legation of the United States, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Inlands, November 6, 1893. 

Sir: I have the honor to inform you of my arrival in this city, bearing sealed let- 
ters, open official copies whereof are herewith transmitted, addressed by the Presi- 
dent of the United States of America to the President of the Provisional Government 
of the Hawaiian Islands, recalling Mr. James H. Blount, who has for sometime past 
resided near your Government in the character of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister 
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, and accrediting the undersigned 
as bis successor. By reason of his having resigned the office while in the United 
States, Mr. Blount is unable to present in person his letter of recall. 

In pursuance of my instructions, I respectfully request you to designate a con- 
venient time and place at which I may have the honor of presenting in person such 
original letters of recall and of credence. 

With assurances of the most distinguished consideration, I am, etc., 

Albert S. Willis. 



[Inclosure 2 in No. 1.] 

Mr. Dole to Mr. Willis. 

Department of Foreign Affairs. 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, November 6, 1893. 

Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's communi- 
cation of this days's date informing me of your arrival in this city and that you are 
the bearer of sealed letters from the President of the United States of America to 
the President of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, recalling 
Mr. James H. Blount, sometime United States Envoy Extraordinary and. Minister 
Plenipotentiary at this Capital and accrediting you as his successor, which fact is 
duly authenticated by the inclosed copies of your excellency's letter of credence, and 
soliciting that a time and place be designated for the presentation of the original 
letters of recall and credence. 

In reply I haA^e the honor to state that it will give me pleasure to designate 11 
o'clock of the forenoon to-morrow the 7th instant, as the time for the presentation 
at the Executive building. 

I beg your excellency to accept the assurance of the high consideration and 
esteem with which I have the honor to be, sir, etc.. 

Sanford B. Dole, 
Minister of Foreign Jffairs. 



166 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



[Inclosure No. 3.] 
Remarks of Mr. Willis to Mr. Dole. 

Mr. President: Mr. Blount, the late Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary of the United States to your Government, haviDg resigned his office while 
absent from his post, I have the honor now to present his letter of recall and to 
express for him his sincere regret that he is unable in person to make known his 
continued good wishes in behalf of your people and his grateful appreciation of the 
many courtesies of which, while here, he was the honored recipient. 

I desire at the same time to place in your hands the letter accrediting me as his 
successor. In doing this I am directed by the President to give renewed assurances 
of the friendship, interest, and hearty good will which our Government entertains 
for you and for the people of this island realm. 

Aside from our geographical proximity and the consequent preponderating com- 
mercial interests which centre here, the present advanced civilization and Christian- 
ization of your people, together Avith your enlightened codes of law, stand to-day 
beneficial monuments of American zeal, courage, and intelligence. 

It is not surprising, therefore, that the United States were the first to recognize 
the independence of the Hawaiian Islands and to welcome them into the great 
family of free. 



Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresliam. 

[Telegram.] 

Honolulu, November 6, 1893. 
Two hundred sixty rifles and ammunition arrived by steamer Sat- 
urday. Eumor that Provisional Government will declare for a Kepublic, 
with constitution already prepared. 

Willis. 



Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresham. 

[Telegram.] 

Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, November 11, 1893. 
Beport can be sent to Congress on 19th November. 

Albert S. Willis. 



Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresliam. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 2.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, November 11, 1893. 
Sir: On the 7th instant, at 11 o'clock, I presented to the Provisional 
Government Mr. Blount's letter of recall and tlie letter accrediting me 
as his successor. I inclose an extract from the Commercial Advertiser 
giving an account of the proceedings. The time since then has been 
occupied with the reception of executive, judicial, and diplomatic rep 
resentatives of the Provisional and foreign Governments. I have not, 
therefore, had an opportunity of executing more fully your instructions, 
nor was fuller action advisable while the excitement was so great. I 
expect on next Monday morning to have an interview with the Queen 
which, if satisfactory, will be followed immediately by one with tlie 
Provisional Government. I have, therefore, inclosed a telegram to 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



167 



your dispatch agent at San Francisco as follows: "Report can be 
sent to Congress on 19th November," it being iny understanding that 
yon desired to have all the facts presented before any decisive action 
liere. 

The Alameda, the next vessel leaving here after next Monday, will 
not reach San Francisco until November 23, during which interval it 
is hoped some definite result may be secured. 

On the afternoon of the 6th the British minister, Major Wodehouse, 
called my attention to the following paragraph in the "Hawaiian Star" 
of the same date: "It would serve the ex- Queen well to pray to her 
gods that the peril of restoration will never come to her" — which he 
interpreted to be a threat of assassination, and inquired whether our 
Government was ready and willing to extend to her its protection. I 
replied that, without reference to her royal claims, she stood in such 
relations to the United States that she was entitled to and would 
receive the amplest protection at their hands. As a inatter of fact, I 
had already ascertained that, at present, she did not desire our protec- 
tion. After next Monday, however, and earlier if necessary, I shall 
insist on her coming to the legation. 

Neither side has the vaguest idea, as yet, of the attitude of onr Gov- 
ernment, and consequently no outbreak has occurred, although every 
night is filled with rumors. I inclose several extracts from the "Com- 
mercial Advertiser" (annexation) morning daily; the "Star" (annexa- 
tion) evening daily; the "Bulletin" and "Holomua," both evening 
royalist papers, which will give you the situation here from a newspa- 
per standpoint. 

The TJ. S. S. Philadelphia and Adams are connected with Honolulu 
by telephone, but in the event of riot Admiral Irwin, now in command, 
has made arrangements for rocket signaling. 

On Monday next I will, by request, meet a committee of the "Ameri- 
can League," which one Avho claimed to be a member informed me was 
" six hundred strong, well armed with Winchester rifles, and would 
never permit the restoration of the Queen." He further intimated that 
the League had some fear that the Provisional Government "would 
make concessions and surrender their rights, and if so, they would 
overthrow it," etc. There is undoubtedly in this Government, as in all 
governments, a class of reckless, lawless men, who, under the impres- 
sion that they have the moral support of some of the better class of 
citizens, may at any moment bring about a serious condition of affairs. 
Fortunately the men at the head of the Provisional Government are 
acknowledged by all sides to be of the highest integrity and public 
spirit, which, combined with the large material interests they represent, 
will, it is hoped, cause them to stand firmly and successfully for peace 
and good government. 

The Japanese consul-general, Mr. Suburo Fujii, has just called to say 
that his people, who now number nearly one-third of the male popula- 
tion, are very apprehensive of immediate disturbances. He desired to 
know whether I would advise him to send for a man-of-war. I declined 
to give him any advice. • He then inquired whether his people could 
expect protection from the United States troops. I told him that if it 
was his request, and that if his people were nonparticipants in any 
trouble, that he could probably rely upon the protection of our Gov- 
ernment. The American interests here are so extensive and all inter- 
ests are so close that it is impossible to touch one without involving all. 

With sentiments of high regard, I am, etc., 

Albert S. Willis. 



168 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

Mr. Willis to Mr. GresJiam. 

[Telegram.] 

November 16, 1893. 

Views of first party so extreme as to require further instructions. 

Willis. 



Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresham. 

No. 4.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, November 16, 1893. 
Sib: On last Monday, November 13; I received a call from three 
gentlemen who* said they were a committee representing the "American 
League." The chairman, Mr. Van Houton, made a speech of welcome, 
covering substantially the statements contained in the papers which I 
send herewith. 

I replied thanking them for their words of welcome and friendship, 
and stating in very general terms the circumstances under which I 
came, and saying to them that it was the duty of all Americans, 
whether at home or abroad, to cooperate in executing the will of their 
Government when it was declared. After some further remarks as to 
the desirability of free institutions, provided the people were adapted 
to them and prepared for them, the committee withdrew. The chair- 
man came back, after several hours, to inform me that he neglected to 
state that the "league" was opposed to the restoration of the monarchy. 
Nothing was said in the conversation as to the status of affairs here 
or of the instructions of our Government. I mention this as the com- 
mittee, I am imformed, have placed a different construction on the in- 
terview. 

With high regard, I am, etc., 

Albert S. Willis. 



[Inclosure.] 

The Committee of the American League to Mr. Willis. 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, November 13, 1893. 

Sir: As you are doubtless aware, a considerable number of citizens of the United 
States reside in the Hawaiian Islands. Having a love and veneration for the United 
States it is but natural that a fraternal feeling should exist among men so far from 
native land; and being desirous of cultivating these fraternal feelings an organiza- 
tion has been effected, where only citizens of the United States have been admitted 
to membership. The aims and objects of the organization may be briefly summa- 
rized as follows: To bear true allegiance to the United States, and, so far as possi- 
ble, advance the interests of our native country. To aid and protect the members 
of the organization, and to assist in all honorable ways the members of the organi- 
zation in obtaining employment, and advocate the just cause of the members and 
others owing allegiance to the United States of America. 

The organization has assumed the name of the American League, and for the bet- 
ter protection of its members has adopted a simple ritual and has a password to be 
changed as often as necessary. While eligibility to membership is based on United 
States citizenship, the application must go into the hands of a committee, who inves- 
tigate as to the qualifications of the candidate, including character and habits, with 
the object of receiving only those who are reliable and worthy. 

The members of the league earnestly desire that the Hawaiian Islands should 
become a part of the United States, and with that object in view the organization 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



169 



will support the present Provisional Government of Hawaii, and in all honorable 
ways aid in accomplishing annexation. 

Believing that you would desire to know something of the aims and methods of 
work of the organization this committee was appointed to visit you and give you 
such information as you desire, and to extend to you cordial greeting. It would 
afford us pleasure to meet and greet you under the most ordinary circumstances, but, 
coming as you do as a representative of the President and the people of the United 
States, and considering the importance of your mission, it affords us peculiar pleas- 
ure to give you welcome. 

Some of our members have resided in Hawaii for many years, while others have 
come within the last few years and some have arrived within the last year, yet 
whether we have been away from America a few months or many years ; whether 
native-born citizens of the Union or citizens by adoption, we still venerate and love 
our country, and will cooperate with you in advancing its b^st interests and looking 
ont for the welfare of the citizens of the United States, whether they are such from 
birthright or adoption. If at any time there is an opportunity for us to aid you 
feel free to command us, and be assured that under all circumstances we desire to 
make your stay here pleasant to yourself and beneficial to the country that you 
represent, for it is our common country and in its welfare we are all interested. 

We have dalayed somewhat in calling on yOu, believing that your official duties 
and the numerous calls being made would fully occupy your time for the first few 
days. 

Again expressing the pleasure it affords us to greet and welcome you, we are, 
very respectfully, yours, 

Geo. Van Houten, 
James F. Hilbus, 
Jus. L. Curtis, 
Committee American League. 



Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresham. 

No. 5.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, November 18, 1893, 

Sir : In the forenoon of last Wednesday, November 15, Hon. S. M. 
Damon, Minister of Finance, notified me in person that there were 
rumors of an attack that night or the ensuing night upon the Govern- 
ment building, in consequence of which the regular guard would be 
increased and one of the volunteer companies would be ordered under 
arms for the night. On the royalist side apprehensions for the safety 
of the Queen were expressed. The next day Avas King Kalakaua's 
birthday, an event which generally attracts a large crowd here, aud is 
celebrated with various festivities. A concert in honor of the occasion 
was advertised under the auspices of the native Hawaiians. 

In view of these facts, I thought it proper in an informal way to 
make public the fact that there would be no decisive action taken by 
our Government for three or four weeks, or until I heard from Wash- 
ington. I also thought it proper, with the private knowledge and con- 
sent of all factions, to say that mob violence would not be allowed dur- 
ing this interval. 

The effect of these announcements was to reassure the people and to 
stop active military preparations. Many representatives of foreign 
governments and prominent citizens, officially representing both par- 
ties, have called to express their gratification at the result. 

The excitement has been continuous for so long that the slightest 
circumstances are magnified, and rumors fill the air, both night and 
day. 

It is impossible to exaggerate the unhappy condition of this people, 
nor can I, in words, picture their pathetic surroundings. Almost every 
movement is under espionage, the most meaningless expression is 



170 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



given an important significance, and speeches are quoted which were 
never delivered or thought of. In my dispatch No. 4, of November 11, 
1 referred to the visit of a committee from the American League, to 
whose address I made a brief formal response, not having even the re- 
motest bearing upon the question pending here. In yesterday's Star, 
a paper whose life began with the so-called revolution, was my alleged 
reply, which I inclose to you. This is a fair sample of the prevailing 
spirit of misrepresentation. I inclose, also, an extract from the Pacific 
Commercial Advertiser, also an annexation organ, upon the same sub- 
ject. 

I send this by a sailing vessel which leaves to day. The next steamer 
leaves here December 9. The next steamer arriving from San Fran- 
cisco, the Monowai, due December 23. 
With high regard, I am, etc., 

Albeut S. Willis. 



NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS. 

[Hawaiian Star, November 17, 1893.] 

WILLIS FOR THE FLAG — HIS REPLY TO THE AMERICAN LEAGUE— HE WILL DO NOTH- 
ING HERE TO CONFLICT WITH HIS ARDENT AMERICAN PRINCIPLES. 

The Star has obtained with much difficulty a complete and authentic report of the 
remarks made by Minister Willis to a delegation of the American League which 
presented him with a memorial some days ago. After a few words of welcome to his 
visiting countrymen, he said : 

" Gentlemen : I am an ardent American. I would like to see the stars and stripes 
waving, under proper conditions, not only over the Pacific islands, but over any 
other territory which would be beneficial to the United States. I have my instruc- 
tions, which I can not divulge. You will understand this. But this much I can 
say, that the policy of the United States is already formulated regarding these 
islands, and that nothing which can be said or done either here or there can avail 
anything now. I do not come here as did Mr. Blount. I come here as an executive 
officer. I come to act. When the proper time arrives I shall act. I am sorry 
that 1 can not tell you when or how. I wish you to understand that, knowing the 
policy of the United States, I could not have accepted the position of an executive 
officer had it be"en in conflict with the principles I hold. While performing my 
duties in carrying out the United States policy I shall have no need of aid from you 
or other resident Americans. I wish to state positively that any outside interference 
will not be tolerated by the United States.' 7 

[The Daily Pacific Commercial Advertiser, Saturday, November 18, 1893.] 

Be just and fear not; 
Let all the ends thou aim'st at he 
Thy country's, thy God's, and truth's. 

A reporter who willfully and purposely falsifies the language of a diplomatic rep- 
resentative, as was done by the Star reporter, on Thursday last, in an interview with 
Minister Willis, as shown by his published statements, deserves to be branded as 
unworthy of public credence. Minister Willis may be thus compelled in future, for 
self-protection, to follow Mr. Blount's example and refuse all press interviews. 

This paper is now, as it always has been, since the day when the monarchy was 
forever banished from Hawaii, the firm and unflinching advocate of annexation to 
the United States, without any compromise in any shape or form whatever. Nor can 
one word be produced to show a contrary determination. To this paper more than 
to any other is due the credit of firmly standing by and defending the Provisional 
Government and the cause it represents. It yields to no other paper a firmer alle- 
giance to the principles which the Government and its supporters represent. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



171 



Mr. Gresham to Mr. Willis. 

[Telegram.] 

Department of State, 

Washington, November 24, 1893. 
The brevity and uncertainty of your telegrams are embarrassing. 
You will insist upon amnesty and recognition of obligations of the Pro- 
visional Government as essential conditions of restoration. All inter- 
ests will be promoted by prompt action. 

W. Q. Gresham. 



Mr. Gresham to Mr. Willis. 

[Telegram.] 

Department of State, 

Washington, December 3, 1893. 

Your dispatch, which was answered by steamer on the 25th of 
November, seems to call for additional instructions. 

Should the Queen refuse assent to the written conditions, you will 
at once inform her that the President will cease interposition in her 
behalf, and that while he deems it his duty to endeavor to restore to 
the sovereign the constitutional government of the islands, his further 
efforts in that direction will depend ui)on the Queen's unqualified agree- 
ment that all obligations created by the Provisional Government in a 
proper course of administration shall be assumed, and upon such pledges 
by her as will prevent the adoption of any measures of proscription or 
punishment for what has been done in the past by those setting up or 
supporting the Provisional Government. The President feels that by 
our original interference and what followed, we have incurred respon- 
sibilities to the whole Hawaiian community, audit would not be just 
to put one party at the mercy of the other. 

Should the Queen ask whether if she accedes to conditions active 
steps will be taken by the United States to effect her restoration, or to 
maintain her authority thereafter, you will say that the President can 
not use force without the authority of Congress. 

Should the Queen accept conditions and the Provisional Government 
refuse to surrender, you will be governed by previous instructions. If 
the Provisional Government asks whether the United States will hold 
the Queen to fulfillment of stipulated conditions you will say, the 
President acting under dictates of honor and duty, as he has done in 
endeavoring to effect restoration, will do all in his constitutional power 
to cause observance of the conditions he has imposed. 

Gresham. 



Mr. Thurston to Mr. Gresham. 

Hawaiian Legation, 

Washington, December 5, 1893. 
Sir: In confirmation of the claims presented to you by myself during 
several recent interviews, concerning suggested action by the United 
States Government towards the Provisional Government of Hawaii, as 



172 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



outlined in your communication to the President recently published, 
and affirmed in the President's message sent yesterday to Congress, I 
have the honor to hereby submit to you the claims of the Government 
which I represent in and concerning the premises. 

If I correctly apprehend the propositions advanced by the Govern 
ment of the United States they are: 

First. That the Hawaiian monarchy was subverted by the action of 
the United States representatives and forces. 

Second. That but for such action the monarchy would not have been 
subverted nor the Provisional Government created. 

Third. That such conclusions are based upon the report made by the 
Hon. James H. Blount. 

Fourth. That in view of such action by those representing the Gov- 
ernment of the United States, it is proposed that the latter Govern- 
ment shall restore the status existing prior to such subversion of the 
monarchy. • 

In opposition to such proposed action I hereby, on behalf of the Gov- 
ernment I represent, submit the following claims and reasons: 

First. The Provisional Government of Hawaii is a duly organized 
and fully recognized independent Government, holding diplomatic re- 
lations with nearly all the nations of the world. 

It has accredited its diplomatic representatives to the United States 
Government, which has received them in the manner customary in 
dealing with the representatives of friendly independent nations. 

The United States Government has, in turn, accredited its repre- 
sentatives to the Provisional Government of Hawaii, and they have in 
like manner been formally received by it. 

There is nothing lacking to constitute the present Government of 
Hawaii a full, free, and independent sovereignty, subject to all the 
obligations and entitled to all the rights, privileges, and courtesies 
accorded by the United States Government to the most favored nations 
with whom it is in treaty relations. 

Second. It is submitted that the Government of the United States 
has acquired no jurisdiction over the independent sovereign state of 
Hawaii. There being two distinct sovereignties, jurisdiction by the 
United States can only be obtained in three ways, viz : (1) by conquest ; 
(2) by treaty; (3) by voluntary submission to the decision of the United 
States Government in the nature of arbitration. 

There is no claim made that the sovereignty of Hawaii is subordi- 
nate to that of the United States by reason of conquest, nor has it been 
surrendered by treaty. 

There is a suggestion, however, in the communication by yourself to 
the President, above referred to, that authority by voluntary submis- 
sion in the nature of a power to arbitrate has been conferred upon the 
Government of the United States. I refer to that portion wherein you 
state that, "The Government of Hawaii surrendered its authority 
under a threat of war, until such time as the Government of the United 
States, upon the facts being presented to it, should reinstate the Con- 
stitutional Sovereign ; and the Provisional Government was created 
'to exist until terms of union with the United States of America have 
been negotiated and agreed upon.' " 

I submit that no such authority has been couferred, and in support 
of such contention present the following reasons: (1) If the parties in 
Hawaii contending for the control of the Government had intended to 
submit their differences to the arbitration of the United States, a for- 
mal statement to such differences and the points to be settled would 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



173 



have been drawn up and signed in the usual form of an agreement for 
arbitration. 

No such action has been taken. (2) An arbitration is essentially a 
judicial proceeding, the elemental features of which, under the princi- 
ples and forms of procedure in use both in the United States and Hawaii, 
are, first, notice of the charges made or points at issue; second, 
opportunity to hear and cross-examine evidence produced by the 
opposing party; third, opportunity to produce evidence in support of 
claims made and to meet that of the opposing party; fourth, a full 
and fair hearing accorded to both parties in open court. 

In no particular have these particulars, fundamental to the just and 
equitable decision of the simplest judicial issue, been observed in this 
admittedly complicated question. 

The Government of Hawaii, acting under its international right, has 
made a formal proposition to, by treaty, change the political relation 
existing between the two countries. 

The authority of the Hawaiian Government to make such a proposi- 
tion was not questioned, and a treaty for the accomplishment of such 
purpose was duly signed by the representatives of the executives o f 
the two countries. 

Pending the final ratification of such treaty, by desire of the Govern- 
ment of the United States, negotiations were suspended over nine 
months ago, and an investigation was instituted by the Government 
of the United States by a special commissioner. 

During all such time the Hawaiian Government has peaceably 
administered its own affairs and faithfully carried out all its treaty obli- 
gations with all foreign powers. 

Up to the present time the Hawaiian Government has received no 
information that such investigation was for any purpose other than to 
determine the policy of the Government of the United States concern- 
ing such proposition of the Government of Hawaii. 

It has not been a party to such investigation, which has been ex parte 
and conducted in secret. 

It has been accorded no opportunity to meet the evidence produced 
nor to present evidence or argument in its own behalf. 

The names of the witnesses and the character of the evidence upon 
which it is proposed to be subverted were unknown to it until published 
simultaneously with the announcement of the conclusion of the inves- 
tigating commissioner. 

It has received no notice that it was on trial for its life, and has not 
even been informed that it was charged with having taken action for 
which it was responsible to the United States or whereby it had brought 
itself within the jurisdiction of such Government. 

The proclamation issued by the Provisional Government of Hawaii 
defining its objects and causes does, indeed, state as quoted in your 
communication above referred to, that it was created " to exist until 
terms of union with the United States of America have been negoti- 
ated and agreed upon." But I submit that neither legally, logically, 
nor grammatically does such phrase indicate that because annexation 
has not yet been consummated the Provisional Government is there- 
fore and thereby terminated. 

On the contrary, I submit that its meaning is clearly and distinctly 
the exact opposite of that suggested. 

The Provisional Government was formed with a fixed, definite pur- 
pose in view, viz, annexation to the United States. If the date of the 
consummation of such object had been known it could have been 



174 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



iii the place of the phrase actually used. As such date was not and 
could not be known, an appropriate phrase was used signifying that 
the Government should continue to exist until the object ivas accom- 
plished. A government was established not absolutely but condition- 
ally. If the wording of the proclamation had been u to exist until the 
Government of the United States refuses to agree to annexation," a 
refusal would then have constituted a condition the happening of which, 
in and of itself, would have terminated the Provisional Government. 

There was, however, but one condition named in the proclamation, 
the happening of which should terminate the existence of the Govern- 
ment thereby created, viz, " Union with the United States of America." 
There is no other terminating condition. Unless and until that condi- 
tion happens the Government continues in existence. If the happening 
of the condition is postponed for one, two, or ten years, or for an indefi- 
nite period, the Government continues to exist for a like period. The 
fact that annexation has not yet taken place does not negative the pos- 
sibility of its happening in the future. So long as the terminating con- 
dition has not happened, but may happen, so long does the Government 
continue to exist, unless changed or terminated by its own act or the 
act of the people of Hawaii. 

I further submit that if the reasoning last above set forth is incor- 
rect, and the failure to have yet secured annexation does logically ter- 
minate the existence of the Provisional Government, such fact does 
not confer jurisdiction upon the United States to construe such instru- 
ment, but that the construction and interpretation of the wording of 
such proclamation is purely a matter of domestic concern to be settled 
by the parties in interest in Hawaii in such manner as the Government 
and laws of that country may provide. 

Third. While neither admitting nor questioning the correctness of 
the allegations of fact reported by Mr. Blount, I purposely omit dis- 
cussion or criticism thereof, for the reasons, first, that the Hawaiian 
Government has not been a party to such investigation, and therefore 
can not be bound by same ; and, second, if it be true that the represen - 
tatives of the United States exceeded their powers, as alleged, such 
fact does not vest any jurisdiction in the Government of the United 
States to now infringe upon Hawaiian sovereignty. 

It is an axiom of law that no man may take advantage of his own 
wrong. The fact that the United States minister, with or without the 
authority of his Government, may have trespassed upon the inter- 
national rights of Hawaii, does not thereby confer jurisdiction upon the 
Government of the United States to now again, and deliberately, tres- 
pass upon such rights. 

If the United States minister or naval officers have exceeded their 
authority or violated their instructions they are responsible to their 
Government therefor. The Hawaiian Government had no control over 
them. It is not responsible for what they did, and is not and can not 
be held answerable to the Government of the United States for their 
acts, nor to have forfeited any of its attributes of independent sover- 
eignty by reason of their actions whether the same were right or wrong, 
authorized or unauthorized. 

In like manner, if the allegation is true, that the ex-Queen abdicate 
under the belief that the Provisional Government would submit the 
question to the United States Government, such fact does not vest in 
the Government of the United States any jurisdiction over the subject- 
matter. If the ex-Queen was warranted in such belief and an agree- 
ment was made between her and the Provisional Government, which 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



175 



do not admit, the Government of the United States was no party to 
such agreement, and neither the making, nor the failure to carry it out, 
if made, confers any jurisdiction upon the Government of the United 
States to construe such agreement, nor in any manner to intervene 
between the contending parties in Hawaii, nor control or direct which 
of such parties shall at any given time exercise the functions of gov- 
ernment in Hawaii. 

Fourth. If after consideration of the reasons hereinbefore advanced 
it is maintained by you that they do not establish the claims advanced, 
aud that the Government of the United States has jurisdiction, not- 
withstanding the independent sovereignty of Hawaii, to decide upon 
the form, and who shall carry on the Government of Hawaii, I then 
submit that neither international law nor the usage of nations author- 
ize the Government of the United States to enforce, against the will of 
the parties, the conclusions to which it may come. 

It is not suggested in the report of Mr. Blount than any such power 
was agreed upon, either between the ex-Queen and the Provisional 
Government or otherwise. 

Even if a formal submission to the United States Government had 
been made, and full hearing had thereon, and a decision announced, 
such fact would not vest in the United States any power to carry out 
such decision or to compel either party to abide thereby. 

Unless the method of enforcement of such decision is agreed upon 
by the parties, the carrying out of the decision rendered is purely a 
matter of good faith as between the parties in interest, with no power 
in the arbitrating Government to compel the recognition by either party 
of the decision rendered. 

I beg also to re-affirm in this connection my firm conviction, based 
upon an intimate acquaintance with all the persons and conditions in- 
volved, that the restoration of the ex- Queen, regardless of the method 
by which the same may be accomplished, will, unless she is maintained 
by the troops of some foreign power, be speedily followed by the forci- 
ble overthrow of the monarchy, involving the probable loss of life and 
destruction of property. 

Such action will be taken, as in the past, by the intelligent, law- 
abiding, property-owning portion of the community, for the same 
reasons that'the same persons took similar action last January, viz: 
that the long and bitter experience under the monarchy has convinced 
them that so long as the monarchy exists no material improvement in 
the methods of conducting the Government can be expected and that a 
further continuance of the misrule of the past years is intolerable. 

It is unnecessary for me to state that such a condition of affairs will 
be disastrous in the extreme to every material interest in the islands, 
and to all trade and commerce connected therewith, the greater por- 
tion of which is owned and carried on by American citizens and 
capital. 

Allow me to reiterate that neither this statement nor any act done 
by the Provisional Government or by myself is with any spirit of hos- 
tility to the people or Government of the United States. On the con- 
trary, so far from being in any manner hostile, the Provisional Govern- 
ment and its supporters have demonstrated by their acts that they are 
not only friendly in the ordinary acceptance of the word, but that they 
have such faith in the Government of the United States that they have 
taken up arms and risked their lives and property to place themselves, 
almost unreservedly and unconditionally, under the jurisdiction and 
control of that Government, asking only in return that they may share 



176 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



in the freedom of its flag and the stability and equality of its Govern- 
ment. 

All that I seek by this statement is to convey to yon a plain frank 
statement of what the Provisional Government of Hawaii conceives to 
be its rights under international law in and concerning the premises, 
and to indicate to yon, as it is my dnty to do, what in my opinion the 
conditions are and will be if action on certain suggested lines is taken. 
I have, &c. 

L. A. Thurston. 



Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresham. 

[Telegram.] 

Honolulu, December 4, 1893. 
Understand message. Had no communications from Washington, 
D. 0., either to the United States Admiral or to me since my (oar) 
arrival. One British man-of-war and one Japanese man of war are 
here. Active defensive preparations for several days 5 otherwise situa- 
tion about the same. The feeling intense, but hope to preserve status 
until further instructed. Government last Wednesday inquired as to 
authenticity of your published letter and intentions of the President. 
X have declined to-day to answer. Prompt action desirable. 

Willis. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



177 



Senate Ex. Doc. No. 76, Fifty-second Congress, second session. 

MESSAGE 

FROM THE 

PRESIDENT OF THE I XT TED STATES, 

TRANSMITTING 

A treaty of annexation concluded on the 14th day of February, 1893, 
between the United States and the Provisional Government of the 
Hawaiian Islands. 



February 15, 1893. — Read; treaty read the first time, referred to the Committee on 
Foreign Relations, and, together with the message and accompanying papers, 
ordered to be printed in confidence for the use of the Senate. 

February 17, 1893. — Injunction of secrecy removed and ordered to he printed. 



To the Senate : 

I transmit herewith, with a view to its ratification, a treaty of an- 
nexation concluded on the 14th day of February, 1893, between Hon. 
John W. Foster, Secretary of State, who was duly empowered to act 
in that behalf on the part of the United States, and Lorrin A. Thurs- 
ton, W. E. Castle, W. G. Wilder, 0. L. Garter, and Joseph Marsden, 
the commissioners on the part of the Provisional Government of the 
Hawaiian Islands. 

The treaty, it will be observed, does not attempt to deal in detail with 
the questions that grow out of the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to 
the United States. The commissioners representing the Hawaiian 
Government have consented to leave to the future and to the just and 
benevolent purposes of the United States the adjustment of all such 
questions. 

I do not deem it necessary to discuss at any length the conditions 
which have resulted in this decisive action. 

It has been the policy of the administration not only to respect, but 
to encourage the continuance of an independent government in the 
Hawaiian Islands so long as it afforded suitable guarantees for the pro- 
tection of life and property and maintained a stability and strength 
that gave adequate security against the domination of any other power. 
The moral support of this Government has continually manifested itself 
in the most friendly diplomatic relations, and in many acts of courtesy 
to the Hawaiian rulers. 

The overthrow of the monarchy was not in any way promoted by this 
Government, but had its origin in what seems to have been a reaction- 
ary and revolutionary policy on the part of Queen Liliuokalani, which 
put in serious peril not only the large and preponderating interests of 
H. Ex. 48 12 



178 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



the United States in the islands, but all foreign interests, and indeed 
the decent administration of civil affairs and the peace of the islands. 

It is quite evident that the monarchy had become effete and the 
Queen's government so weak and inadequate as to be the prey of de- 
signing and unscrupulous persons. The restoration of Queen Liliuok- 
alani to her throne is undesirable, if not impossible, and unless actively 
supported by the United States would be accompanied by serious dis- 
aster and the disorganization of all business interests. The influence 
and interest of the United States in the islands must be increased and 
not diminished. 

Only two courses are now open; one the establishment of a pro- 
tectorate by the United States, and the other, annexation full and com- 
plete. I think the latter course, which has been adopted in the treaty, 
will be highly promotive of the best interests of the Hawaiian people, 
and is the only one that will adequately secure the interests of the 
United States.- These interests are not wholly selfish. It is essential 
that none of the other great powers shall secure these islands. Such 
a possession would not consist with our safety and with the peace of 
the world. 

This view of the situation is so apparent and conclusive that no pro- 
test has been heard from any government against proceedings looking 
to annexation. Every foreign representative at Honolulu promptly 
acknowledged the provisional government, and I think there is a gen- 
eral concurrence in the opinion that the deposed queen ought not to be 
restored. Prompt action upon this treaty is very desirable. 

If it meets the approval of the Senate peace and good order will be 
secured in the islands under existing laws until such time as Congress 
can provide by legislation a permanent form of government for the 
islands. This legislation should be, and I do not doubt will be, not 
only just to the natives and all other residents and citizens of the 
islands, but should be characterized by great liberality and a high 
regard to the rights of all the people and of all foreigners domiciled 
there. 

The correspondence which accompanies the treaty will put the Senate 
in possession of all the facts known to the Executive. 

Benj. Harrison. 

Executive Mansion, 

February 15, 1893. 



The President : 

The undersigned, Secretary of State, has the honor to lay before the 
President, with a view to obtaining the advice and consent of the Sen- 
ate thereto, should such a course be in the judgment of the President 
for the public interest, a treaty, signed at Washington on the 14th day 
of February, instant, by the undersigned and the accredited commis- 
sioners of the existing provisional government of the Hawaiian Islands, 
in representation of their respective Governments, for the full and ab- 
solute cession of the said islands and all their dependencies to the 
United States forever, with provision for the temporary government of 
those islands, under the sovereign authority of the United States, until 
Congress shall otherwise enact. 

With this treaty the undersigned submits to the President copies of 
the correspondence recently exchanged, showing the course of events 
in the Hawaiian Islands as respects the overthrow of the late monarch- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



179 



icalform of government, the creation of a provisional government thereof 
in the name of the Hawaiian people, the recognition of the same by 
the representatives there of the United States and of all other powers, 
the dispatch of a commission to this capital to negotiate for a union of 
the Government of the Hawaiian Islands with the Government of the 
United States, and the outcome of those negotiations in the treaty 
herewith submitted. 

The change of government in the Hawaiian Islands, thus chronicled, 
was entirely unexpected so far as this Government was concerned. It 
is true that for some months past the Hawaiian press and the advices 
received from the diplomatic and consular representatives at Honolulu 
indicated political uncertainty, party intrigues, and legislative opposi- 
tion, but not more so than at many times in the past history of the 
islands, and certainly not suggestive of an overthrow of the monarchy 
through popular resistance to the unconstitutional acts of the late 
sovereign. At no time had Mr. Stevens been instructed with regard to 
his course in the event of a revolutionary uprising. The well-estab- 
lished policy of this Government, maintained on many occasions from 
its earliest establishment, to hold relations with any de facto govern- 
ment in possession of the effective power of the State and having the 
acquiescence of the governed, being ample to meet unforeseen contin- 
gencies, no instructions in this specific sense Avere indeed necessary; 
and the minister, without explicit instructions, was expected and con- 
strained to use his best judgment, in accordance with fundamental 
precedent, as the emergency should arise. 

The change was in fact abrupt and unlooked-for by the United States 
minister or the naval commander. At a moment of apparenttranquillity, 
when the political excitement and controversy of the immediately pre- 
ceding three months had been to all appearances definitely allayed, and 
when, as appears from dispatches from the minister and from the 
commanding officer of the Boston, a settlement of differences seemed to 
have been reached, Minister Stevens quitted the capital for a brie! 
excursion of ten days to a neighboring island, on the Boston, the only 
naval vessel of the United States at the islands. On returning to Hon- 
olulu on January 14 the crisis was found to be in full vigor and to 
have already reached proportions which made inevitable either the 
success of Queen Liliuokalani's attempt to subvert the constitution by 
force or the downfall of the monarchy. 

On Saturday, the 14th of January, the capital was wholly controlled 
by the royal troops, including a large additional force of over 500 
armed men not authorized by Hawaiian law. On the same day the first 
call to arms in opposition to the Queen was issued, and the citi- 
zens' committee, of safety was developed. During the 14th, 15th, 
and most of the 16th, the two parties confronted each other in angry 
hostility, with every indication of an armed conflict at any moment. It 
was not until late in the afternoon of Monday, the 16th, after request 
for protection had been made by many citizens of the United States 
residing in Honolulu, that a force of marines was landed from the 
Boston, by direction of the minister, and in conformity with the standing 
instructions which for many years have authorized the naval forces of 
the United States to cooperate with the minister for the protection of 
the lives and property of American citizens in case of imminent disorder. 
The marines, when landed, took no part whatever toward influencing 
the course of events. Their presence was wholly precautionary, and 
only such disposition was made of them as v*as calculated to subserve 
the particular end in view, They were distributed that night between 



180 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, 



the legation and the consulate, where they occupied inner courts and 
a private hall rented for their accommodation. Beyond a sentry at the 
door of each post, and the occasional appearance of an officer passing 
from one post to another, no demonstration whatever was made by the 
landed forces, nor was the uniform of the United States visible upon 
the streets. They thus remained, isolated and inconspicuous, until after 
the success of the Provisional Government and the organization of an 
adequate protective force thereunder. 

At the time the Provisional Government took possession of the Gov- 
ernment buildings, no troops or officers of the United States were 
present or took any part whatever in the proceedings. No public 
recognition was accorded to the Provisional Government by the United 
States minister until after the Queen's abdication and when they were 
in effective possession of the Government buildings, the archives, the 
treasury, the barracks, the police station, and all the potential ma- 
chinery of the Government. 

Then, and not until then, when the Provisional Government had ob- 
tained full de facto control, was the new order of things recognized by 
the United States minister, whose formal letter of recognition was 
promptly followed by like action on the part of the representatives of 
all foreign governments resident on the Hawaiian Islands. There is 
not the slightest indication at any time prior to such formal recog- 
nition in full accord with the long-established rule and invariable pre- 
cedents of this Government, did the United States minister take any 
part in promoting the change, either by intimidating the Queen or by 
giving assurance of support to the organizers of the Provisional Gov- 
ernment. 

The immediate cause of the change is clearly seen to have been the 
unconstitutional and intemperate acts of the Queen herself, in attempt- 
ing to coerce her responsible ministers and to annul the existing con- 
stitution and replace it arbitrarily by another of her own choice. 

The Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands is, by all usual 
and proper tests, in the sole and supreme possession of power and in 
control of all the resources of the Hawaiian nation, not only through 
the Queen's formal submission, but through its possession of all the 
armed forces, arms and ammunitions, public offices, and administra- 
tion of law, unopposed by any adherents of the late Government. 

On the first instant, subsequently to the departure of the Hawaiian 
special commissioners, the United States minister at Honolulu, at the 
request of the Provisional Government, placed the Hawaiian Govern- 
ment under the rnotection of the United States to insure the security 
of life and property during the pending negotiations at Washington 
and without interfering with the administration of public affairs by 
the said Government. An instruction has been sent to the minister, 
commending his action in so far as it lay within the purview of stand- 
ing instructions to the legation and to the naval commanders of the 
United States in Hawaiian waters, and tended to cooperate with the 
administration of affairs by the Provisional Government, but disavow- 
ing any steps in excess of such instructions whereby the authority and 
power of the United States might appear to have been asserted to the 
impairment of the independent sovereignty of the "Hawaiian Govern- 
ment by the assumption of a formal protectorate. 

In this condition of things, the five commissioners named by the 
Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands reached Washington 
on the 3d instant, bearing authentic letters from the Hawaiian Govern- 
ment accrediting them to the President, and conferring upon them full 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



181 



powers to negotiate for the union of the Hawaiian Islands to the 
United States. 

On the 4th instant the commissioners were accorded an interview 
with the undersigned, at the request of the regularly accredited 
Hawaiian minister, Mr. J. Mott Smith, and submitted their credentials, 
accompanied by a statement of events leading up to and connected 
with the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the Pro- 
visional Government. At a second conference on the same day the 
commissioners submitted to the undersigned the proposition of the 
Provisional Government, containing the terms upon which that Gov- 
ernment desired the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to the United 
States. A copy of this proposition is inclosed. Frequent conferences 
have since been held at the Department of State, and all questions 
connected with the subject have been carefully examined and dis- 
cussed, until a concurrence of views on the part of the negotiating 
parties was reached on the 14th instant. 

In drafting and agreeing upon the treaty now transmitted, the under- 
signed has sought, under your direction, to effect thereby the annexation 
of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States with as few conditions as 
possible and with a full reservation to Congress of its legislative pre- 
rogatives. An examination of .the provisions of this treaty will show 
that to Congress is reserved the determination of all questions affecting 
the form of government of the annexed territory, the citizenship and 
elective franchise of its inhabitants, the manner and terms under which 
the revenue and navigation laws of the United States are to be extended 
thereto, and all other questions relating to the economic and political 
status of the islands. As there is no provision in the existing legisla- 
tion of Congress whereby the Executive power can provide an organ- 
ized form of government for new territory annexed to the Union, or 
extend over it the laws of the United States and cause the same to be 
executed, it was deemed necessary to continue the existing government 
and laws of the Hawaiian Islands until Congress should have an op- 
portunity to legislate on the subject j but a provision has been inserted 
in the treaty for the exercise by the Executive of the United States of 
a veto power upon the acts of that government during the interregnum. 
The temporary maintenance of the existing political institutions of the 
islands seems the more appropriate in view of the fact that the Hawai- 
ian constitution, of which a copy is inclosed herewith, and the Hawai- 
ian laws are based upon principles similar to those contained in our own 
organic law and the principles of the common law. 

It is to be noted that, according to a recognized principle of interna- 
tional law, the obligations of treaties, even when some of their stipu- 
lations are in terms perpetual, expire in case either of the contracting 
parties loses its existence as an independent state. The foreign treaties 
of the Hawaiian Islands therefore terminate, upon annexation, with 
the competence of the government thereof to hold diplomatic relations. 
An examination of these treaties shows, however, that they contain no 
stipulations which would embarrass either the Hawaiian Islands or the 
United States by their termination. 

Accompanying the treaty are tables giving full details as to the area 
of the territory annexed, the public debt, the public lands, the annual 
allowances to and revenue of the late royal household, and statistics as 
to the population, revenues, commerce, and other economic matters re- 
lating to the islands. 

It is gratifying to be able to state that pending the negotiations lead- 
ing up to the treaty herewith submitted the undersigned has received 



"182 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



such assurances from the representatives of the leading powers of the 
world and from our own ministers abroad as leads to the conviction 
that the incorporation of the Hawaiian Islands into our Union will be 
regarded by these powers with satisfaction or ready acquiescence. 
Eespectfully submitted. 

John W. Foster. 

Department of State, 

Washington, February 15, 1893. 



1 The United States of America and the Provisional Government 

2 of the Hawaiian Islands, in view of the natural dependence of 

3 those Islands upon the United States, of their geographical prox- 

4 unity thereto, of the intimate part taken by citizens of the United 

5 States in there implanting the seeds of Christian civilization, of the 

6 long continuance of their exclusive reciprocal commercial relations 

7 whereby their mutual interests have been developed, and the pre- 

8 ponderant and paramount share thus acquired by the United 

9 States and their citizens in the productions, industries and trade 

10 of the said Islands, and especially in view of the desire expressed 

11 by the said Government of the Hawaiian Islands that those Islands 

12 shall be incorporated into the United States as an integral part 

13 thereof and under their sovereignty, in order to provide for and 

14 assure the security and prosperity of the said Islands, the High 

15 Contracting Parties have determined to accomplish by treaty an 

16 object so important to their mutual and permanent welfare. - 

17 To this end, the High Contracting Parties have conferred full 

18 power and authority upon their respectively appointed Plenipoten- 

19 tiaries, to wit : 

20 The President of the United States of America, John W. Foster, 

21 Secretary of State of the United States ; and 

22 The President of the Executive and Advisory Councils of the 

23 Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, Lorrin A. Thurs- 

24 ton, William E. Castle, William C. Wilder, Charles L. Carter, and 

25 Joseph Marsdenj 

26 And the said Plenipotentiaries, after having communicated to 

27 each other their respective full powers, found in good and due form, 

28 have agreed upon and concluded the following articles: 

1 Article I. 

2 The Government of the Hawaiian Islands hereby cedes, from the 

3 date of the exchange of the ratifications of this Treaty, absolutely 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



183 



4 and without reserve to the United States forever all rights of sov. 

5 ereignty of whatsover kind in and over the Hawaiian Islands and 

6 their dependencies, renouncing in favor of the United States every 

7 sovereign right of which as an independent nation it is now pos- 

8 sessed; and henceforth said Hawaiian Islands and every island 

0 and key thereunto appertaining and each and every portion thereot 

10 shall become and be an integral part of the territory of the United 

11 States. 

1 Article II. 

2 The Government of the Hawaiian Islands also cedes and transfers 

3 to the United States the absolute fee and ownership of all public, 

4 government or crown lands, public buildings or edifices, ports, 

5 harbors, fortifications, military or naval equipments and all other 

6 public property of every kind and description belonging to the 

7 Government of the Hawaiian Islands, together with every right 

8 and appurtenance thereunto appertaining. The existing laws of 

9 the United States relative to public lands shall not apply to such 

10 lands in the Hawaiian Islands, but the Congress of the United 

11 States shall enact special laws for their management and disposi- 

12 tion: Provided, that all revenue from or proceeds of the same, ex- 

13 cept as regards such part thereof as may be used or occupied for 

14 the civil, military or naval purposes of the United States or may 

15 be assigned to the use of the local Government, shall be used solely 

16 for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands for 

17 educational and other public purposes. 

1 Article III. 

2 Until Congress shall otherwise provide, the existing Govern- 

3 ment and laws of the Hawaiian Islands are hereby continued, sub- 

4 ject to the paramount authority of the United States. The Presi- 

5 dent, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall ap- 

6 point a Commissioner to reside in said Islands who shall have the 

7 power to veto any act of said Government, and an act disapproved 

8 by him shall thereupon be void and of no effect unless approved 

9 by the President. 

10 Congress shall, within one year from the exchange of the rati- 

11 fications of this Treaty, enact the necessary legislation to extend 

12 to the Hawaiian Islands the laws of the United States respecting 

13 duties upon imports, the internal revenue, commerce and naviga- 



184 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

14 tion ; but until Congress shall otherwise provide, the existing coin- 

15 mercial relations of the Hawaiian Islands both with the United 

16 States and foreign countries shall continue as regards the commerce 

17 of said Islands with the rest of the United States and with foreign 

18 countries, but this shall not be construed as giving to said Islands 

19 the power to enter into any new stipulation or agreement whatso- 

20 ever or to have diplomatic intercourse with any foreign Govern- 

21 ment. The Consular representatives of foreign powers now resi- 

22 dent in the Hawaiian Islands shall be permitted to continue in the 

23 exercise of their consular functions until they can receive their 

24 exequaturs from the Government of the United States. 

1 Article IY. 

2 The further immigration of Chinese laborers into the Hawaiian 

3 Islands is hereby prohibited until Congress shall otherwise pro- 

4 vide. Furthermore, Chinese persons of the classes now or here- 

5 after excluded by law from entering the United States will not be 

6 permitted to come from the Hawaiian Islands to other parts of the 

7 United States, and if so coming shall be subject to the same pen- 

8 alties as if entering from a foreign country. 

1 Article V. 

2 The public debt of the Hawaiian Islands, lawfully existing at the 

3 date of the exchange of the ratifications of this Treaty, including 

4 the amounts due to depositors in the Hawaiian Postal Savings 

5 Banks, is hereby assumed by the Government of the United 

6 States; but the liability of the United States in this regard shall 

7 in no case exceed three and one quarter millions of dollars. So 

8 long, however, as the existing Government and the present com- * 

9 mercial relations of the Hawaiian Islands are continued, as here- 

10 in before provided, said Government shall continue to pay the 

11 interest on said debt. 

1 Article VI. 

2 The Government of the United States agrees to pay to Liliuo- 

3 kalani, the late Queen, within one year from the date of the ex- 

4 change of the ratifications of this Treaty the sum of twenty thousand 

5 dollars, and annually thereafter a like sum of twenty thousand 

6 dollars during the term of her natural life, provided she in good 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



185 



7 faith submits to the authority of the Government of the United 

8 States and the local Government of the Islands. 

9 And the Government of the United States further agrees to 

10 pay to the Princess Kaiulani within one year from the date of the 

11 exchange t)f the ratifications of this treaty the gross sum of one 

12 hundred and fifty thousand dollars, provided she in good faith 

13 submits to the authority of the Government of the United States 

14 and the local Government of the Islands. 

1 Article YII. 

2 The present Treaty shall be ratified by the President of the United 

3 States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, on the 

4 one part, and by the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian 

5 Islands on the other, and the ratifications thereof shall be ex- 

6 changed at Honolulu as soon as possible. Such exchange shall be 

7 made on the part of the United States by the Commissioner here- 

8 inbefore provided for, and it shall operate as a complete and final 

9 conveyance to the United States of all the rights of sovereignty 

10 and property herein ceded to them. Within one month after* such 

11 exchange of ratifications the Provisional Government shall furnish 

12 said Commissioner with a full and complete schedule of all the 

13 public property herein ceded and transferred. 



14 In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed 

15 the above articles and have hereunto affixed their seals. 

16 Done in duplicate at the city of Washington this fourteenth day 

17 of February, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three. 

18 John W. Foster, [seal] 

19 Lorrin A. Thurston, [seal] 

20 William R. Castle, [seal] 

21 William C. Wilder, [seal] 

22 Charles L. Carter, [seal] 

23 Joseph Marsden. [seal] 



186 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



List of accompanying documents. 

No. 1. Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster (telegram), January 18, 1893. 

No. 2. Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, January 18, 1893. 

No. 3. Mr. Dole to Mr. Foster, January 18, 1893. 

No. 4. Ex-Queen Liliuokalani to the President, January 18, 1893. 

No. 5. Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, January 19, 1893. 

No. 6. Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens (telegram), January 28, 1893. 

No. 7. Mr. Tracy to Mr. Foster, January 28, 1893. 

No. 8. Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster (telegram), February 1, 1893. 

No. 9. Mr. Smith to Mr. Foster, February 3, 1893. 

No. 10. Mr. Tracy to Mr. Foster, February 3, 1893. 

No. 11. The Hawaiian special commissioners to Mr. Foster, February 3, 1893. 
No. 12. Credential letters of the Hawaiian special commissioners, exhibited Feb- 
ruary 4, 1893. 

No. 13. Commissions of the Hawaiian special commissioners, exhibited February 
4, 1893. 

No. 14. The Hawaiian special commissioners to Mr. Foster, February 4, 1893. 
No. 15. The Hawaiian special commissioners to Mr. Foster, February 11, 1893. 
No. 16. Mr. Carter to Mr. Foster. February 11, 1893. 
No. 17. Mr. Tracy to Mr. Foster, Februarv 11, 1893. 
No. 18. Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens, February 11, 1893. 

No. 19. Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, February 1, received February 14, 1893. 
IS'o. 20. Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, February 1, received February 14, 1893. 
No. 21. Constitution of the Hawaiian Islands. 

No. 22. Statistical tabulated statements pertaining to the Hawaiian Islands. 

A. Population in 1878, 1884, and 1890; voters in 1890. 

B. Property, real and personal. 

C. Schools: Number, attendance, and nationality of teachers. 

D. Public debt, as of March 31, 1892. 

E. Sugar plantations, value, area, ownership, wages. 

F. Taxation, internal, proceeds of, and per capita in 1882, 1884, 1886, 1888. 
J.890, and 1891. 

G. Revenues and expenditures, biennial periods from 1878-80 to 1890-92. 

H. Receipts, expenditures, cash balances, and public debt in 1880, 1882, 1884, 
1886, 1888,' and 1892. 

I. Imports, detailed statement of, from 1883 to 1892; values. 

J. Exports, detailed statement of, from 1882 to 1891; quantities and values. 
K. Imports and exports, by countries, from 1884 to 1891. 

L. Imports and exports, and customs receipts, annual value of, from 1882 to 1891. 
M. Navigation, nationality of vessels engaged in the foreign trade with the 
Hawaiian Islands from i882 to 1891. 



No. 1. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, 

[Telegram.] 

Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, H. January 18, 1893. 
Via San Francisco, January 28. (Received January 28.) 
Events in Hawaii in the -past few days have moved rapidly. An en- 
tire overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the establishment of a 
Provisional Government in the interest of the whole people of the 
islands without the sacrifice of a single life. The new government is 
in full possession of the islands and was promptly recognized by all 
the diplomatic representatives. The four men of whom it is composed 
are of high character, one of whom resigned his position as one of the 
supreme judges to assume the place. Full dispatches by the mail 
leaving Honolulu to-day by special steamer. 

Stevens, 
• ' United States Minister, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



187 



No. 2. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 79.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, January 18, 1893. (Eeceived February 3.) 

Sir : In my 73 of November 8 I gave full information of the sur- 
render of the Queen to the wishes of the legislature by the formation 
of a ministry composed of men of intelligence and wealth possessing 
the entire confidence of the business men and the more responsible citi- 
zens of the country. But this surrender of the Queen and of those 
surrounding her was only seeming. As soon as the principal appro- 
priations had been voted and the legislative work was nearly concluded, 
several of the best members having already left for their homes, a re- 
markable conspiracy was revealed. 

The undersigned, for the first time since he has been at the head of 
this legation, January 4 took passage for Hilo and the volcano on the 
IT. S. S. Boston for the benefit of the health of himself and of his 
daughter, it being also desirable that the town of the second impor- 
tance in the islands should have this attention at the time the Boston 
was making a visit to Hawaii, the chief island in the group. Beyond 
all doubt, immediately after the Boston and myself had left Honolulu 
the unscrupulous adventurers around the Queen improved the oppor- 
tunity to push through the legislature an astounding lottery franchise 
with the obvious intent to sell it out to the Louisiana lottery men. 
This was worked by some of the same parties supjuosed to be of the 
powerful opium, ring whose four points of operation are Vancouver, 
San Francisco, Honolulu, and Hongkong. They distributed the lot- 
tery stock among the native members of the legislature in large figures. 

Notwithstanding the strong opposition of all the best people of the 
islands, including whites and natives, and the emphatic opposition of 
the chamber of commerce, the Queen and her palace favorite gave their 
warmest support to the lottery bill and signed it at once. She was to 
be immediately compensated by being allowed to proclaim a new con- 
stitution, restoring to the Crown the old despotic prerogatives in direct 
violation of the existing constitution, which jnovides for the only mode 
of change, which is by the action of successive legislatures. 

Returning on the Boston from our Hilo trip on the 14th instant, we 
found the legislature was to be prorogued at 12 a.m., one-half hour 
after my arrival at the legation. The jnorogation eomxdeted, members 
of the legislature, diplomatic corps, judges of the supreme court, 
and other officials went to the palace by invitation. In the meantime 
it began to be known in public circles the Queen's intention to proclaim 
the revolutionary constitution. This resulted in raising an excitement 
which alarmed her confidants and caused some of them to draw back. 
This consumed time, so that she could not secure the signatures of her 
new cabinet as she had expected. In the meantime the diplomatic 
corps grew weary and left the palace, realizing that the invitation to 
be present was a trick. 

As I had just returned, weary from my voyage, I had not received 
jthe invitation, the chamberlain knowing I was absent when he invited 
the English, Portuguese, French, and Japanese diplomatic representa- 
tives the day before. In the short meanwhile I had suspicioned the 
trick. Finally, the Queen appeared in the throne room, before the * 
supreme judges and other officials, in an extreme passion of anger, and 
avowed her purpose to postpone her revolutionary constitution for a 



188 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



brief period, and then went upon the balcony and spoke with great 
passion in the same strain to those around the palace, principally her 
retainers and the royal guard, her determination to proclaim her con- 
stitution at another time. What I have described as to the lottery 
legislation, the forcing out of the responsible cabinet of November 8 
and appointing the lottery cabinet, two of whom had been voted out of 
the ministry during the legislative session by a two-thirds vote for the 
best of reasons. It was the lottery bribe and the autocratic design of 
the Queen that quickly precipitated events. 

A mass meeting of the citizens was called to meet on Monday, the 
16th, at 2 p. in., which assembled in the largest hall in the city. Short 
as was the notice, over 1,300 of the principal citizens of Hono- 
lulu and from other islands, who happened to be in the city, were 
in attendance. This meeting included merchants, bankers, profes- 
sional men, the principal business men, and the mechanics, the chief 
German and some of the leading English merchants and other nation- 
alities, as well as American residents. It is said such an assemblage 
was never before equaled in Honolulu. Intelligent American visitors 
here say that such a public meeting would do credit to a meeting of a 
similar class of citizens in our best American cities. 

The assemblage was a unit in feeling and purpose. The speeches and 
resolutions are on the printed slips I herewith inclose. This remark- 
able uprising of the best citizens, including nearly all of the chief prop- 
erty holders, the Tahitian marshal and palace favorite did not dare at- 
tempt to suppress. A committee of public safety was at once created 
to meet the emergency and to prevent anarchy and riot. It was 
fortunate that the Boston was in the harbor. The committee on public 
safety called on me for aid. I promptly addressed to the commander 
of the Boston, Capt. G. S. Wiltse, the following note : 

United States Legation, 

Honolulu, January 16, 1893. 
Sir: In view of the existing critical circumstances in Honolulu, including an in- 
adequate legal force, I request you to laud marines and sailors from the ship under 
your command for the protection of the United States legation and United States 
consulate, and to secure the safety of American life and property. 
Very truly, yours, 

John L. Stevens, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. 

Capt. G. C. Wiltse, 

Commander TJ. S. S. Boston. 

A copy of the call of the committee of public safety for aid is in- 
closed. 

Promptly the men from the Boston were landed. Detachments were 
placed around the legation and the consulate, the principal members 
having marched to a central hall for shelter and headquarters 5 the 
night being at hand, the public anxiety being especially strong as to 
what might be done by irresponsible persons in the night, the landing 
of the men of the Boston so promptly gave immediate relief to the public 
anxiety. 

As soon as practicable a Provisional Government was constituted, 
composed of four highly respectable men, with Judge Dole at the head, 
he having resigned his place on the supreme bench to assume this re- 
sponsibility. He was born in Honolulu, of American parentage, edu- 
* cated here and in the United States, and is of the highest reputation 
among all citizens, both natives and whites. P. 0. Jones is a native of 
Boston, Mass., wealthy, possessing property interests in the islands, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



189 



and a resident here for many years. The other two members are of 
the highest respectability. The committee of public safety forthwith 
took possession of the Government buildings, archives, and treasury, 
and installed the Provisional Government at the heads of the respective 
departments. This being an accomplished fact, I promptly recognized 
the Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Ha- 
wa iian Islands. The English minister, the Portuguese charge d'affaires, 
the French and the Japanese commissioners promptly did the same; 
these, with myself, being the only members of the diplomatic corps re- 
siding here. 

All is quiet here now. Without the sacrifice of a single life this 
change of government has been accomplished. Language can hardly 
express the enthusiasm and the profound feeling of relief at this peace- 
ful and salutary change of government. The underlying cause of this 
profound feeling among the citizens is the hope that the United States 
Government will allow these islands to pass to American control and 
become American soil. A commission of citizens, duly accredited, will 
go by the steamer that takes this dispatch to Washington, to state the 
wishes of the Provisional Government and of the responsible people of 
the islands, and to give a complete account of the existing state of 
things here. 

It is proper that I should add, that the presence of the Boston here 
has been of the highest importance, and the behavior of officers and 
men has been admirable. Capt. Wiltse has exercised prudence and 
great firmness, while he and the undersigned have recognized only 
accomplished facts and have not allowed the use of the United States 
force for any but the most conservative reasons 
I am, sir, 

John L. Stevens. 

Written copy by future mail. 

S. 



[Inclosure 1 in No. 79.] 
PROCLAMATION. 

In its earlier history Hawaii possessed a constitutional government honestly and 
economically administered in the public interest. 

The Crown called to its assistance as advisers able, honest, and conservative men, 
whose integrity was unquestioned even by their political opponents. 

The stability of the Government was assured, armed resistance and revolution un- 
til ought of, popular rights were respected, and the privileges of the subject from 
time to time increased and the prerogatives of the sovereign diminished by the vol- 
untary acts of the successive Kings. 

With very-few exceptions this state of affairs continued until the expiration of 
the first few years of the reign of His late Majesty Kalakaua. At this time a change 
was discernible in the spirit animating the Chief Executive and in the influences sur- 
rounding the throne. A steadily increasing disposition was manifested on the part 
of the King to extend the royal prerogatives ; to favor adventurers aud persons of 
no character or standing in the community; to encroach upon the rights and privi- 
leges of the people by steadily increasing corruption of electors, and by means of 
the power and influence of officeholders and other corrupt means to illegitimately 
influence the elections, resulting in the final absolute control of not only the execu- 
tive and legislative, but to a certain extent the judicial departments of the Govern- 
ment in the interests of absolutism. 

This finally resulted in the revulsion of feeling and popular uprising of 1887, 
whic h wrested from the King a large portion of his ill-gotten powers. 

The leaders of this movement were not seeking personal aggrandizement, political 
power* or the suppression of the native Government. If this had been their object 
it could easily have been accomplished, for they had the absolute control of the 
situation. 



190 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Their object was to secure responsible Government through a representative cabi- 
net, supported by and responsible to the people's elected representatives. A clause 
to this effect was inserted in the constitution, and subsequently enacted by law by 
the legislature, specifically covering the ground that in all matters concerning the 
state the sovereign was to act by and with the advice of the cabinet, and only by 
and with such advice. 

The King willingly agreed to such proposition, expressed regret for the past, and 
volunteered promises for the future. 

Almost from the date of such agreement and promises up to the time of his death, 
the history of the Government has been a continual struggle between the King on 
the one hand and the cabinet and legislature on the other, the former constantly 
endeavoring by every available form of influence and evasion to ignore his promises 
and agreements and regain his lost powers. 

This conflict upon several occasions came to a crisis, followed each time by submis- 
sion on the part of His Majesty, by renewed expressions of regret and promises to 
abide by the constitutional and legal restrictions in the future. In each instance 
suc h promise was kept until a further opportunity presented itself, when the conflict 
was renewed in defiance and regardless of all previous pledges. 

Upon the accession of Her Majesty Liliuokalani, for a brief period the hope pre- 
vailed that new policy would be adopted. This hope was soon blasted by her imme- 
diately entering into conflict with the existing cabinet, who held office with the 
approval of a large majority of the legislature, resulting in the triumph of the 
Queen and the removal of the cabinet. The appointment of a new cabinet sub- 
servient to her wishes and their continuance in office until a recent date gave no 
opportunity for further indication of the policy which would be pursued by Her 
Majesty until the opening of the legislature in May of 1892. 

The recent history of that session has shown a stubborn determination on the part 
of Her Majesty to follow the tactics of her late brother and in all possible ways to 
secure an extension of the royal prerogatives and an abridgment of popular rights. 

During the latter part of the session the legislature was replete with corruption; 
bribery and other illegitimate influences were openly utilized to secure the desired 
end, resulting in the final complete overthrow of all opposition and the inauguration 
of a cabinet arbitrarily selected by Her Majesty in complete defiance of constitu- 
tional principles and popular representation. 

Notwithstanding such result the defeated party peacefully submitted to the situa- 
tion. 

Not content with her victory Her Majesty proceeded on the last day of the session 
to arbitrarily arrogate to herself the right to promulgate a new constitution, which 
proposed, among other things, to disfranchise over one-fourth of the voters and the 
owners of nine-tenths of the private property of the Kingdom, to abolish the elected 
upper house of the legislature and to substitute in place thereof an appointive one, 
to be appointed by the Sovereign. 

The detailed history of this attempt and the succeeding events in connection 
therewith is given in the report of the committee of public safety to the citizens of 
Honolulu and the resolution adopted at the mass meeting held on the 16th instant, 
the correctness of which report and the propriety of which resolution is hereby 
specifically affirmed. 

The constitutional evolution indicated has slowly and steadily, though reluc- 
tantly and regretfully, convinced an overwhelming majority of the conservative and 
responsible members of the community that independent, constitutional, representa- 
tive, and responsible government, able to protect itself from revolutionary uprisings 
and royal aggression, is no longer possible in Hawaii under the existing system of 
government. 

Five uprisings or conspiracies against the Government have occurred within five 
years and seven months. It is firmly believed that the culminating revolutionary 
attempt of last Saturday will, unless radical measures are taken, wreck our already 
damaged credit abroad and precipitate to final ruin our already overstrained finan- 
cial condition; and the guaranties of protection to life, liberty, and property will 
steadily decrease and the political situation rapidly grow worse. 

In this belief, and also in the firm belief that the action hereby taken is and will 
be for the best personal, political, and property interests of every citizen of the 
land — 

We, citizens and residents of the Hawaiian Islands, organized and acting for the 
public safety and the common good, hereby proclaim as follows : 

(1) The Hawaiian monarchical system of Government is hereby abrogated. 

(2) A provisional government for the control and management of public affairs 
and the protection of the public peace is hereby established, to exist until terms of 
union with the United States of America have been negotiated and agreed upon. 

(3) Such provisional government shall consist of an executive council of four 
members, who are hereby declared to be Sanford B. Dole, James A, King, Peter C. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



191 



Jones, William 0. Smith, who shall administer the executive departments of the 
Government, the first named acting as president and chairman of such council and 
administering- the department of foreign affairs, and the others severally adminis- 
tering the departments of interior, finance, and attorney -general, respectively, in the 
order in which they are ahove enumerated, according to existing Hawaiian law as 
far as may be consistent with this proclamation; and also of an advisory council, 
which shall consist of fourteen members, who are hereby declared to be S. M. Da- 
mon, L. A. Thurston, J. Emmeluth, J. H. McCandlass, F. W. McChesney, W. E. 
Castle, W. C. Wilder, A. Brown, J. F. Morgan, H. Waterhouse, E. D. Tenney, F. 
Wilhelm, W. G. Ashley, C. Bolte. Such advisory council shall also have general 
legislative authority. 

Such executive and advisory council shall, acting jointly, have power to remove 
any member of either council and to fill such or any other vacancy. 

(4) All officers under the existing Government are hereby requested to continue to 
exercise their functions and perform the duties of their respective offices, with the 
exception of the following-named persons: Queen Liliuokalani ; Charles B. Wilson, 
marshal; Samuel Parker, minister of foreign affairs; W. H. Cornwell, minister of 
finance; John F. Colburn, minister of the interior; Arthur P. Peterson, attorney- 
general; who are hereby removed from office. 

(5) . All Hawaiian laws and constitutional principles not inconsistent herewith 
shall continue in force until further order of the executive and advisory councils. 

Henry E. Cooper. 
Andrew Brown. 
J. A. McCandless. 
Theodore F. Lansing. 
John Emmeluth. 
C. Bolte. 
Ed. Suhr. 

Henry Waterhouse. 
W. C. AVilder. 
F. W. McChesney. 
William O. Smith. 



[Inclosure 2 in No. 79.] 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 17, 1893. 

Sir: The undersigned, members of the executive and advisory councils of the 
Provisional Government this day established in Hawaii, hereby state to you that 
for the reasons set forth in the proclamation this day issued, a copy of which is 
herewith inclosed for your consideration, the Hawaiian monarchy has been abro- 
gated and a Provisional Government established in accordance with the said above- 
mentioned proclamation. 

Such Provisional Government has been proclaimed, is now in possession of the 
Government departmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and is in con- 
trol of the city. We hereby request that you will, on behalf of the United States 
of America, recognize it as the existing de facto Government of the Hawaiian 
Islands, and afford to it the moral support of your Government, and. if necessary, 
the support of American troops to assist in preserving the public peace. 
We have the honor to remain your obedient servants, 

Sanford B. Dole. 
J. A. King. 
P. C. Jones. 
William O. Smith. 
S. M. Dawson. 
John Emmeluth. 
F. W. McChesney. 
W. C. Wilder. 
J. A. McCandless. 
Andrew Brown. 
Jas. F. Morgan. 
Henry Waterhouse. 

E. D. Tenney. 

F. J. Wilhelm. 
W. G. Ashley. 
C. Bolte. 

His Excellency John L. Stevens, 

United States Minister Resident* 



192 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



ITnclosnre 3 in No. 79.] 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 17, 189S. 

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
LOrder No. 1.] 

All persons favorable to the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands are 
hereby requested to forthwith report to the Government at the Government buildings 
and to furnish to the Government such arms and ammunition as they may have in 
their jiossession or control as soon as possible, in order that efficient and complete 
protection of life and property and the public peace may immediately and efficiently 
be put in operation. 

Sanford B. Dole, 
J. A. King, 
P. C. Jones, 
William O. Smith, 
Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

John Emmeluth, 

Andrew Brown, 

C. Bolte, 

James F. Morgan, 

Henry Waterhouse, 

S. M. Damon, 

W. G. Ashley, 

E. D. Tenny, 

F. W. McChesney, 
W. C. Wilder, 

Advisory Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 



[Inclosure 4 in No. 79.] 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 17, 1893. (Issued 6 p. m.) 

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
[Order No. 2.] 

It is hereby ordered and decreed that until further ordered, the right of the writ 
of habeas corpus is hereby suspended and martial law is hereby declared to exist 
throughout the island of Oahu. 

Sanford B. Dole, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs, 
J. A. King, 
Minister of the Interior, 
P. C. Jones, 

Minister of Finance, 
William O. Smith, 

Attorney-General, 

Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 



[Inclosure 5 in No. 79.] 
[Daily Pacific Commercial Advertiser, January 17, 1893.] 

MASS MEETING— CITIZENS DETERMINED TO RESIST AGGRESSION — AN ENTHUSIASTIC 
GATHERING AT THE RIFLES' ARMORY PROTESTS AGAINST THE REVOLUTIONARY 
ATTITUDE OF THE QUEEN — RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AND THE COMMITTEE OF 
PUBLIC SAFETY AUTHORIZED TO TAKE FURTHER STEPS. 

At 2 p. in. yesterday the Honolulu Kifles' armory was the scene of one of the largest 
and most enthusiastic mass meetings ever held in Honolulu. It was called by the 
committee of public safety for the "purpose of protesting against the revolutionary 
aggressions of the Queen.. At 1:30 citizens began to assemble, and before 2 o'clock 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



193 



J3ie large building was crowded to its utmost capacity, 1,260 being present, by actual, 
count, while many others came later. Every class in the community was fully rep- 
resented, mechanics, merchants, professional men, and artisans of every kind being- 
present in full force. The meeting was intensely enthusiastic, being animated by a 
common purpose and feeling, and most of the speakers were applauded to the echo. 
Hon. W. C. Wilder, of the committee of safety, was the chairman. 

Mr. Wilder said: Fellow citizens, I have been requested to act as chairman of the 
meeting. Were it a common occurrence, I should consider it an honor, but to-day, 
we are not here to do honor to anybody. I accept the chairmanship of this meeting 
as a duty. [Applause.] We meet here to-day as men — not as any party, faction, or 
creed, but as men who are bound to see good government. It is well known to you 
all what took place at the palace last Saturday. I need not tell you the object of this 
meeting, and no such meeting has been held since 1887. There is the same reason 
now as then. An impromptu meeeing of citizens was called Saturday to take meas- 
ures for the public safety. The report of the committee will be read to you. We do 
not meet as revolutionists, but as peaceful citizens who have the right to meet and 
state their grievances. [Loud applause.] We will maintain our rights and have 
courage to maintain them. [Universal cheers.] 

Noble Thurston being introduced by the chairman read the report of the commit- 
tee of safety. 

"report of the committee of safety. 

" To the citizens of Honolulu : 

"On the morning of last Saturday, the 14th instant, the city was startled by the in • 
formation that Her Majesty Queen Liliuokalani had announced her intention to 
arbitrarily promulgate a new constitution, and that three of the newly appointed 
cabinet ministers had, or were about to, resign in consequence thereof. 

" Immediately after the prorogation of the legislature at noon the Queen, accom- 
panied, by her orders, by the cabinet, retired to the palace; the entire military force 
of the Government was drawn up in line in front of the building, and remained 
there until dark, and a crowd of several hundred native sympathizers with the new- 
constitution project gathered in the throne room and about the palace. The Queen 
then retired with the cabinet, informed them that she had a new constitution ready, 
that she intended to promulgate it and proposed to do so then and there, and de- 
manded that they countersign her signature. 

''She turned a deaf ear to their statements and protests that the proposed action 
would inevitably cause the streets of Honolulu to run red with blood, and threat- 
ened that unless they complied with her demand she would herself immediately go 
out upon the steps of the^ palace and announce to the assembled crowd that the 
reason she did not give them the new constitution was because the ministers would 
not let her. Three of the ministers, fearing mob violence, immediately withdrew 
and returned to the Government building. They were immediately summoned back 
to the palace, but refused to go on the ground that there was no guaranty of their 
personal safety. 

"The only forces under the control of the Government are the household guards 
and the police. The former are nominally under the control of the minister of 
foreign affairs and actually under the control of their immediate commander, Maj. 
Nowlein, a personal adherent of the Queen. 

"The police are under the control of Marshal Wilson, the open and avowed royal 
favorite. Although the marshal is nominally under the control of the attorney- 
general, Her Majesty recently announced in a public speech that she would not allow 
him to be removed. Although the marshal now states that he is opposed to the 
Queen's proposition, he also states that if the final issue arises between the Queen 
and the cabinet and people he will support the Queen. 

"The cabinet was absolutely powerless and appealed to citizens for support. 

"Later they reluctantly returned to the palace, by request of the Queen, and for 
nearly two hours she again endeavored to force them to acquiesce in her desire, and 
upon their final refusal announced in a public speech in the throne room and again 
from the upper gallery of the palace that she desired to issue the constitution, but 
was prevented from doing so by her ministers and would issue it in a few days. 

"The citizens responded to the appeal of the cabinet to resist the revolutionary 
attempt of the Queen, by gathering at the office of William O. Smith. 

" Late in the afternoon it was felt that bloodshed and riot were imminent ; that 
the community could expect no protection from the legal authorities ; that, on the 
contrary, they would undoubtedly be made the instruments of royal aggression. 
An impromptu meeting of citizens was held, which was attended by the attorney- 
general, and which was addressed, among others, by the minister of the interior, 
J. F. Colburn, who stated to the meeting substantially the foregoing facts. 

" The meeting unanimously passed a resolution that the public welfare required 

H. Ex. 48 13 



194 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



the appointment of a committee of public safety of thirteen, to consider the situa- 
tion and devise ways and means for the maintenance of the public peace and the 
protection of life and property. 

"Such a committee was forthwith appointed and has followed its instructions. 

"The first step which the committee consider necessary is to secure openly, pub- 
licly, and peaceably, through the medium of a mass meeting of citizens, a condem- 
nation of the proceedings of the party of revolution and disorder and a confirma- 
tion from such larger meeting of the authority now vested in the committee. 

" For such purpose the committee hereby recommends the adoption of the fol- 
lowing resolution : 

" RESOLUTION. 

"1. Whereas Her Majesty Liliuokalani, acting in conjunction with certain other 
persons, has illegally and unconstitutionally and against the advice and consent of 
the lawful executive officers of the Government, attempted to abrogate the existing 
constitution and proclaim a new one in subversion of the rights of the people; 

"2. And whereas such attempt has been accompanied by threats of violence and 
bloodshed and a display of armed force, and such attempt and acts and threats are 
revolutionary and treasonable in character; 

" 3. And whereas Her Majesty's cabinet have informed her that such contemplated 
action was unlawful and would, lead to bloodshed and riot and have implored and 
demanded of her to desist from and renounce such proposed action; 

"4. And whereas such advice has been in vain, and Her Majesty has in a public 
speech announced that she was desirous and ready to promulgate such constitution, 
the same being now ready for such puipose, and that the only reason why it was not 
now promulgated was because she had met with unexpected obstacles and that a fit- 
ting opportunity in the future must be awaited for the consummation of such object, 
which would be within a few days; 

"5. And whereas at a public meeting of citizens held in Honolulu on the 14th day 
of January instant a committee of thirteen to be known as the ' committee of public 
safety 7 was appointed to consider the situation and to devise ways and means for the 
maintenance of the public peace and safety and the preservation of life and property ; 

" 6. And whereas such committee has recommended the calling of this mass meet- 
ing of citizens to protest against and condemn such action and has this day pre- 
sented a report to such meeting denouncing the action of the Queen and her sup- 
porters as being unlawful, unwarranted, in derogation of the rights of the people, 
endangering the peace of the community, and tending to excite riot and cause the 
loss of life and destruction of property: 

"Now, therefore, we, the citizens of Honolulu of all nationalities and regardless 
of political party affiliations, do hereby condemn and denounce the action of the 
Queen and her supporters ; 

"And we do hereby ratify the anointment and indorse the action taken and re- 
port nfade by the said committee of safety ; and we do hereby further empower such 
committee to further consider the situation and further devise such ways and means 
as may be necessary to secure the permanent maintenance of law and order and the 
protection of life, liberty, and property in Hawaii." 

Mr. Thukston said : Mr. Chairman : Hawaii is a wonderful country. We are di- 
vided into parties and nationalities and factions, but there are moments when we 
are united and move shoulder to shoulder, moved by one common desire for the pub- 
lic good. Three times during the past twelve years this has happened — in 1880, 1887 
and to-day. They say it is ended, it is done, there is nothing to consider. Is it so? 
[Calls of no ! no !] I say, gentlemen, that now and here is the time to act. [Loud 
cheers.] The Queen says she won't do it again. [Cries of humbug.] Fellow-citi- 
zens, have you any memories ? Hasn't she once before promised — sworn solemnly 
before Almighty God to maintain this constitution? What is her word worth? 
[Calls of nothing! nothing!] It is an old saying that a royal promise is made to be 
broken. Fellow-citizens, remember it. We have not sought this situation. Last 
Saturday the sun rose on a peaceful and smiling city ; to-day it is otherwise,. 

Whose fault is it?' Queen Liliuokalani's. * It is not her fault that the streets have 
not run red with blood. She has printed a proclamation and at the same time, per- 
haps sent out by the same carriers, her organ prints an extra with her speech with 
bitterer language than in the Advertiser. She wants us to sleep on a slumbering 
volcano which will one morning spew out blood and destroy us all. The Constitu- 
tion gives us the right to assemble peacefully and express our grievances. We are 
here doing that to-day without arms. The man who has not the spirit to rise after 
the menaces to our liberties has no right to keep them. Has the tropic sun cooled 
and thinned our blood, or have we flowing in our veins the warm, rich blood which 
loves liberty and dies for it? I move the adoption of the resolution. 

[Tumultuous applause.] 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



195 



Mr. H. F. Glade. The Queen has done an unlawful thing in ignoring the consti- 
tution which she had sworn to uphold. We most decidedly protest against such 
revolutionary proceeding, and Ave should do all we possibly can to prevent her from 
repeating actions which result in disorder and riot. We now have a promise from 
the Queen that proceedings as we experienced on Saturday shall not occur again; 
but we should have such assurances and guaranties for this promise that will really 
satisfy us and convince us of the faith and earnestness of the promise given ; of which 
we now have no assurance. What such guaranties and assurances ought to be I 
can not at this moment say or recommend. " This should be referred to the committee 
of safety for their carefurconsideration. I second the motion. 

Mr. Young, in addressing the meeting, spoke as follows: 

Mr. Chairman and fellow-citizens: In June, 1887, 1 stood on this same platform and 
addressed an audience almost as large as the one now before me. At that time we 
had met to consider a resolution that looked toward a new constitution, which pro- 
posed constitution was considered the most effectual method of removing some fla- 
grant abuses in governmental affairs, practiced by the King and his cabinets. The 
constitution was promulgated. To-day we have met to consider the action of Her 
Majesty in attempting to set aside the constitution we all worked so hard to have 
promulgated, in the lost interests of the sovereign and the people at large, as well 
as for the redemption of the credit of the Kingdom abroad. It has long been re- 
ported that at some favorable opportunity the Queen would spring a new constitu- 
tion upon the people and place matters even more in the hands of the sovereign 
than they were before the revolution of 1887. Some did not believe the rumors, but 
the actions of the Queen in the last few days have convinced the most skeptical that 
the rumors were well founded and that she had been pregnant with this unborn 
constitution for a longtime; but it could not be born till under the propitious star. 

In trying to promulgate this long-promised constitution the Queen has therefore 
premeditately committed a breach of faith with one portion of her subjects in order 
to satisfy the clamors of a faction of natives urged by the influence of a mischievous 
element of foreigners who mean no good to the Queen or the people, but simply for 
the purpose of providing avenues for carrying out more perfectly the smuggling of 
opium and diverting the contents of the" treasury into their own rackets. A by- 
authority circular has now been handed around setting forth that the Queen and 
her cabinet had decided not to press the promulgation of a new const itution ; but can we 
depend on this promise of Her Majesty? Is this promise any more binding upon her 
than the oath she took before Almighty God to support and maintain the present 
constitution ? Has not the Queen resorted to very questionable methods in an un- 
derhanded way to remove what, to the people, was' one of the most acceptable cabi- 
nets ever commissioned by any sovereign in this Kingdom, in order that four other 
ministers might be appointed "that would carry out her behest, treasonable or other- 
wise, as might be most conveniently within their scope ? 

"I say, have we any reasonable assurance that the Queen and her ministers have 
abandoned finally the new constitution promulgation scheme 1 [Roars of ''No" from 
the audience.] My fellow citizens, while the Queen and her cabinet continue to 
trifle with and play fast and loose with the affairs of state there can be no feeling 
of security for foreign families residing within these domains. There can be no 
business prosperity here at home, and our credit abroad must be of the flimsiest and 
most uncertain nature. And you, business men, who are toiling honestly for your 
bread and butter, will have to put up with thin bread and much thinner butter if 
this farcical work is continued. In order that matters may be set to rights again, 
and that honest, stable, and honorable government may he maintained in Hawaii, 
I support the resolution and trust that it will be passed, unanimously by this meeting. 

Mr. C. Bolte. Since the resolution which was read here has been "written things 
have changed. On Saturday the Queen promised the native people that she would 
give them a new constitution under all circumstances ; she did not say exactly when, 
but as soon as possible. This morning a proclamation was issued, in which she says 
that her attempt to promulgate a new constitution last Saturday was made under 
stress of her native subjects, but that she will not do it again. An attempt to change 
the fundamental law of the land is a very serious matter, a matter that requires a 
good deal of consideration, and I am well convinced that this matter has been 
weighed and considered for more than a day by the Queen, and that there was no 
acting on the spur of the moment under the stress of her native subjects about it. 
It was her well premeditated conclusion that she would change the constitution so 
as to suit herself, on the day of prorogation of the legislature. Many people knew 
this several days ago, but there have been so many rumors about all sorts of things 
that not very much attention was paid to it; it was expected that she might change 
her mind before th^t day would come. But she did not change her mind as soon as 
that; she told the native people that she was ready to give them a new constitution 
right then and there, but that she could not do it because her ministers would not 



196 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



let her. Now she has changed her mind; she makes a sort of excuse for what she 
did, and says she will never do it again. 

It seems to me that the question that your committee has to ask now, and which 
is for you gentlemen here in the meeting to decide is this: Are you satisfied with the 
assurance given in to-day's proclamation signed by the Queen and the four ministers, 
and will you consider this matter ended, or do you desire greater and stronger guar- 
antees for the safety and preservation of your life and liberty and property? I am 
one of the citizens' committee of public safety; my views on the situation are ex- 
pressed in the resolutions which have just been read, and I trust you will show that 
you are of the same mind as the committee by adopting these resolutions. 

Hon. H. P. Baldwin. I feel, with the rest 'of you, that the actions of the Queen 
have put the country in a very critical situation. Before this revolutionary act of 
Her Majesty we were getting along. A ministry had been appointed which would 
probably have been able to pull us through. The McKinley bill had put the whole 
country into a critical situation. We were working up new industries. Mr. Dil- 
lingham was trying to build a railroad around this island. The Queen seems to 
have blinded herself to all these things. She has followed a whim of her own — a 
whim of an irresponsible body of Hawaiians — and tried to establish a new consti- 
tution. We -must stop this : but we must not go beyond constitutional means. I 
favor this resolution, but think the committee should act within the constitution. 
There is no question that the Queen has done a revolutionary act ; there is no doubt 
about that. The Queen's proclamation has not inspired confidence; but shall we 
not teach her to act within the constitution? [Loud calls of "No."] Well, gentle- 
men. I am ready to act when the time comes. 

J. Emmeluth wished to say a few words on the situation. He had heard the 
Queen's speech at the palace, and noted the expression of her face. It was fiendish. 
When the petitioners filed out he reflected on the fact that thirty men could paralyze 
the business of the community for twenty-four hours. It was not they that did it. 
but the schemers behind them, and perhaps a woman, too. It was not the Hawaiians 
that wanted the new constitution; not those who worked. This was the third time 
that he had shut his doors, let his men go. and came up to this building. It would 
be the last time. If we let this time go by we would deserve all we would get. An 
opportunity came once in every lifetime. It had come to us, and if we finished as 
we should,.a repetition of last Saturday would never occur in this country again. 
[Applause.] We must stand shoulder to shoulder. There was but one course to 
pursue, and we would all see it. The manifesto of this morning was bosh. ;> I won't 
do it any more; but give me a chance and Til do it again." If the Queen had suc- 
ceeded last Saturday, myself and you would have been robbed of the privileges 
without which no white man can live in this community. " Fear not, be not afraid,'' 
was written in my Bible by my mother twenty-five years ago. Gentlemen, I have 
done. As far as the Hawaiians are concerned, all have an aloha for them, and we 
wish to have laws enabling us to live peaceably together. 

R J. Gueexe. Fellow citizens, among the many things I never could do was to 
make an impromptu speech. I have tried it over and over again and never succeeded 
but once, and that was after five weeks' preparation. Our patience has been ex- 
hausted. We all agree about the case. The question is, the remedy. John Greene, 
of Rhode Island, entered the war of the Revolution and served throughout. His 
son. my father, served through the war of 1812, until that little matter was settled. 
In 1862 John Greene, my father, stood before a meeting like this, and said he had 
four sons in the war. of whom I was the youngest, and would serve himself if he was 
not too old. This experience has biased my judgment as to some matters of civil 
government. It is too late to throw obstacles across the path of its progress here. 
I have adopted this flag and am loyal to it. but I am not willing to go one step back 
in the matter of civil liberty, and I will give the last drop of Rhode Island blood in 
my veins to go forward, and not back. [Cheers.] 

Chairman Wilder read the latter part of the resolution. 

It was passed by a unanimous standing vote, without a dissenting voice, and 
amid tremendous cheers, after which the meeting broke up. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



197 



[Inclosure 6 in No. 79.] 
[Daily Pacific Commercial Advertiser, January 18, 1893.] 

THE NEW ERA — THE REVOLUTION TERMINATED BY THE ESTABLISHING OF A PROVI- 
SIONAL GOVERNMENT — CITIZENS RISE AND SEIZE THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING — 
THE MONARCHY ABROGATED— ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEERS RALLY ROUND THE NEW 
GOVERNMENT — THE LATE QUEEN AND CABINET YIELD AND LEAVE THE TOWN UN- 
DER THE QUIET PROTECTION OF ITS OWN CITIZENS — FULL TEXT OF THE PROC- 
LAMATION AND ORDERS . 

All day yesterday the community were in a state of expectancy, looking to the 
committee of public safety to do something to end the state of tension, and to se- 
cure the rights of all citizens against enroachment once and for all. The committee 
in the meantime was not idle, but was incessantly occupied completing its organ- 
ization and perfecting the final arrangements necessary to the proclamation of the 
Provisional Government and its protection by an armed force. At about 2 :30 o'clock 
an attempt was made by three native policemen to arrest the progress of a wagon 
which was being driven up Fort street, by Mr. Benner and Mr. Good. Those in 
charge of the wagon resisted the attempt of the officers to arrest its course. One of 
the officers making a motion to draw a revolver, Mr. Good drew his own, and call- 
ing attention to the fact that he was justified in shooting, he fired, seeking, how- 
ever, to avoid the infliction of a dangerous wound. The wagon pursued its way, 
followed by a policeman in a hack. This episode precipitated the movement. 
Citizens hurried to the Beretania street armory, where they were formed into com- 
panies and marched to the Government building. 

In the meantime the committee of public safety, accompanied by members of the 
government about to be formed, proceeded to the Government building. They were 
entirely unarmed. Arrived at the Government building the committee inquired for 
the cabinet, but the ministers were not to be found. They then demanded and re- 
ceived of Mr. Hassinger the possession of the building. The party now proceeded 
to the front steps and, in the presence of a rapidly increasing crowd, the following 
proclamation was read: 

Before the reading of the proclamation was completed the volunteers from the 
Rifles' armory began to assemble in force. The grounds of Aliiolani Hale were cleared 
and a guard set at all the gates. 

The following orders were then promptly issued by the Provisional Government : 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, 

January 17, 1893. 

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
[Order No. 1.] 

All persons favorable to the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands are 
hereby requested to forwith report to the Government at the Government building 
and to furnish the Government such arms and ammunition as they may have in their 
possession or control as soon as possible, in order that efficient and complete pro- 
tection of life and property and the public peace may be immediately and efficiently 
put into operation. 

Sanford B. Dole, 
J. A. King, 
, P. C. Jones, 

William O. Smith, 
Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

John Emmeluth, 
Andrew Brown, 
C. Bolte, 
James F. Morgan, 
Henry Waterhouse, 
S. M. Damon, . 
W. G. Ashley, 

E. D. Tenny, 

F. W. McChesney, 
W. C. Wilder, 

J. A. McCandless, 
W. E. Castle, 
Lorrina A. Thurston, 
F. J. Wilhelm, 

Advisory Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 



198 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 17, 1893. 

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
[Order No. 2.] 

It is hereby ordered and decreed that until further ordered the right of the writ 
of habeas corpus is hereby suspended, and marshal law is hereby declared to exist 
throughout the island of Oahu. 

Sanford B. Dole, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs, 
J. A. King, 

Minister of the Interior, 
P. C. Jones, 

Minister of Finance, 
William O. Smith, 

Attorney -G en eral, 

Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

The Provisional Government sent for the l^ite ministers, who were at the police 
station. Two of them came, and finally all iburTepaired to the headquarters of the 
new government, where formal demand was made upon them for the possession of 
the police station. The exministers asked for time to deliberate upon this demand. 
They went to the palace in company with Hon. Samuel M. Damon, and held a con- 
sultation with Liliuokalani. The result was a compromise proposition, which was 
rejected by the ProA r isional Government. After further consultation the following- 
protest was noted : 

1, Liliuoakalani, by the grace of God and under the constitution of the Hawaiian 
Kingdom, Queen, do hereby solemnly protest against any and all acts done against my- 
self and the Constitutional Government of the Hawaiian Kingdom by certain persons 
claiming to have established a Provisional Government of and for this Kingdom. 

That I yield to the superior force of the United States of America, whose minis- 
ter plenipotentiary, his excellency John L. Stevens, has caused United States troops 
to be landed at Honolulu and declared that he would support the said Provisional 
Government. 

Now, to avoid any collision of armed forces and perhaps the loss of life, I do, under 
this protest, and impelled by said force, yield my authority until such time as the 
Government of the United States shall, upon the facts being presented to it, undo 
the action of its representative and reinstate me in the authority which I claim as 
the constitutional Sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands. 
Done at Honolula this 17th day of January, A. D. 1893. 

Liliuokalani, R. 
Samuel Parker, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs. 
Wm. H. Cornwall, 

Minister of Finance. 
Jno. F. Colburn, 

Minister of the Interior. 
A. P. Peterson, 

Attorney -General. 

S. B. Dole, Esq., and others, 

Composing the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

(Indorsed:) Received by the hands of the late cabinet this 17th day of January, 
A. D. 1893. (Signed) Sanford B. Dole, ediairman of the executive council of Pro- 
visional Government. 

The late Queen and cabinet accordingly yielded ^mconditionally, and the police 
station was turned over to Commander Soper and Capt. Ziegler with forty men 
from Company A. Mr. Wilson made a short address to the police force assembled in 
the station, telling them that resistance was no longer feasible. 

The Provisional Government sent notifications of the situation to the representa- 
tives of foreign powers. The following answer to the request for recognition was 
received from his excellency John L. Stevens: 

"A Provisional Government having been duly constituted in the place of the recent 
Government of Queen Liliuokalani, and said Provisional Government being in full 
possession of the Government building, the archives, and the treasury, and in control 
of the capital of the Hawaiian Islands, I hereby recognize said Provisional Govern- 
ment as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

" John L. Stevens, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. 

At latest advices the Provisional Government was in complete possession of the 
city, and the only Government possessing, exercising, or claiming any authority or 
power whatsoever. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



199 



No. 3. 

Mr. Dole to Mr. Foster. 

Department of Foreign Affairs, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. January 18, 1893. 

(Received February 3.) 
Sir : I have the honor to inform yon that, as president of the execu- 
tive and advisory council of the Provisional Government of the Ha- 
waiian Islands, I have this day commissioned and appointed the fol- 
lowing gentlemen as special commissioners Irom this Government to 
that of the United States of America, viz, Hon. L. A. Thurston, W. K 
Castle, esq., Hon. W. 0. Wilder, Charles L. Carter, esq., Hon. Joseph 
Marsden, accrediting them to his excellency the President of the United 
States. 

A copy of their credentials will be found inclosed. 

Expressing the hope that these gentlemen will prove acceptable to 
the United States as the representatives of this Government, and that 
you will extend them all proper assistance in furtherance of their 
mission, 

"With sentiments of the highest esteem and respect, 
I have, etc., 

Sanford B. Dole, 
Min ister of Foreign Affairs. 

(In closures:) Copies of the credential letters of the five commissioners. For text 
see Credentials of Mr. Lorrin A. Thurston, printed as paper No. Impost. 



m. 4. 

Ex-Queen Liliuohalani to the President. 
(Beceived February 3, 1893.) 

His Excellency Benjamin Harrison, 

President of the United, States: 

My Great and Good Friend : It is with deep regret that I address 
you on this occasion. Some of my subjects, aided by aliens, have re- 
nounced their loyalty and revolted against the constitutional govern- 
ment of my Kingdom. They have attempted to depose me and to es- 
tablish a provisional government, in direct conflict with the organic 
law of this Kingdom. Upon receiving incontestable proof that his 
excellency the minister plenipotentiary of the United States, aided 
and abetted their unlawful movements and caused United States 
troops to be landed for that purpose, I submitted to force, believing 
that he would not have acted in that manner unless by the authority 
of the Government which he represents. 

This action on my part was prompted by three reasons : The futility 
of a conflict with the United States $ the desire to avoid violence, 
bloodshed, and the destruction of life and property, and the certainty 
which I feel that you and your Government will right whatever wrongs 
may have been inflicted upon us in the premises. 

In due time a statement of the true facts relating this matter will be 
laid before you, and I live in the hope that you will judge uprightly 
and justly between myself and my enemies. 



200 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



This appeal is not made for myself personally, but for my people who 
have hitherto always enjoyed the friendship and protection of the 
United States. 

My opponents have taken the only vessel which could be obtained 
here for the purpose, and hearing of their intention to send a delega- 
tion of their number to present their side of this conflict before you, I 
requested the favor of sending by the same vessel an envoy to you, to 
lay before you my statement) as the facts appear to myself and my 
loyal subjects. 

This request has been refused and I now ask you that in justice to 
myself and to my people that no steps be taken by the Government of 
the United States until my cause can be heard by you. 

I shall be able to dispatch an envoy about the 2d day of February, 
as that will be the first available opportunity hence, and he will reach 
you with every possible haste that there may be no delay in the settle- 
ment of this matter. 

I pray you, therefore, my good friend, that you will not allow any con- 
clusions m> be reached by you until my envoy arrives. 

I beg to assure you of the continuance of my highest consideration. 

LlLIUOKALANI, R. 

Honolulu, January 18, 1893. 



No. 5. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 80.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, January 19, 1893. (Received February 3.) 

Sie : The Provisional Government of Hawaii, by special steamer, 
send a commission to Washington with full powers to negotiate with 
the Government of the United States. It is composed of six representa- 
tive men of the highest respectability. Hon. William 0. Wilder is the 
president and chief manager of the Interisland Steamship Company, 
running steamers among the islands, and he has large property inter- 
ests in Honolulu. Hon. 0. M. [surname omitted] is a leading lumber 
merchant, doing business with Puget Sound and Oregon, born here of 
the best American stock. Hon. L. A. Thurston is one of the most, if 
not the most talented and influential man on the islands, and is of the 
highest respectability. He and his father were born on the islands, of 
Connecticut parentage. Though a young man, he was the leading 
member of the reform cabinet from July, 1887, to 1890. 

Hon. William H. Castle is a lawyer of eminence, born on the islands, 
of western New York parentage, his father still living here at the age 
of 84, having resided in Honolulu nearly half a century, and for many 
years exercised a large influence here. Mr. Charles P. Carter is the 
son of the recent Hawaiian minister at Washington, Hon. H. P. Carter, 
and is an accomplished and most reliable gentleman,. American to the 
core, and has a Michigan wife. Hon. Mr. Marsden is of English birth, 
is a prominent business man and a noble in the legislature. 

These six commissioners represent a large preponderating proportion 
of the property holders and commercial interests of these islands. They 
are backed by the influences which will enable them to fully carry out 
their agreements with the United States Government. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



201 



No. 6. 

[Telegram.] 

Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

Department of State, 

Washington^ January 28, 1893. 
Your dispatch, telegraphed from San Francisco, announcing revolu- 
tion and establishment of a Provisional Government was received to- 
day. Your course in recognizing an unopposed de facto government 
appears to have been discreet and in accordance with the facts. The 
rule of this Government has uniformly been to recognize and enter into 
relation with any actual government in full possession of effective power 
with the assent of the people. You will continue to recognize the new 
Government under such conditions. It is trusted that the change, be- 
sides conducing to the tranquillity and welfare- of the Hawaiian Is- 
lands, will tend to draw closer the intimate ties of amity and common 
interests which so conspicuously and necessarily link them to the 
United States. You will keep in constant communication with the 
commander of the United States naval force at Honolulu, with a view 
to acting if need be for the protection of the interests and property of 
American citizens and aiding in the preservation of good order under 
the changed condition reported. 

John W. Foster. 



No. 7. 

Mr. Tracy to Mr. Foster. 

Navy Department, 
Washington, January 28, 1893. (Received January 28.) 
Sir: I have the honor to inclose for your information a copy of a 
dispatch received this date from Oapt. G. G. Wiltse, commanding officer 
U. S. S. Boston, 
I have, etc., 

B. F. Tracy, 
Secretary of the Navy. 



[Iiiclosure.] 
Capt. Wiltse to Mr. Tracy. 

Honolulu, January 18. 1893. (Via San Francisco,. January 28.) 

The cabinet was voted oat on January ]2; another was appointed on -January 14. 
on which, date the Queen prorogued the legislature and attempted to proclaim new 
constitution. At 2 p. m. on January 16 the citizens met and organized a committee 
of safety. At 4:30 p, m. landed force in accordance with the request of the United 
States minister plenipotentiary. 

Tuesday (17th) afternoon the Provisional Government was established; the Queen 
dethroned. The revolution was accomplished without loss of life. Everything is 
quiet. Commission appointed so as to negotiate terms of annexation to the United 
States Government. 

Wiltse. 



202 



IT AW ATI AN ISLANDS. 



tfo. 8. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

[Telegram.] 

Honolulu, February 1, 1893. 
(Via San Francisco, Feb. 9, 1893. Received Feb. 9, 4 :30 p. m.) 

Provisional Government of Hawaii gaining power andrespect. Every- 
thing is qmet. Annexation sentiment is increasing. Dead monarchy 
and opposition to annexation is supported chiefly by lottery and opium 
ring. Today at 9 a. m. ? in accordance with the request of Provisional 
Government of Hawaii, I ha ve placed Government of Hawaii under the 
United States protection during negotiations, not interfering with the 
execution of public affairs. Have mailed important dispatches. Have 
sent duplicate copies of dispatches. It is advisable that Commodore 
Skerrett proceed at once to Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, with one or 
more United States ships as precautionary measures. 

Stevens. 



, No. 9. 

Mr. Smith to Mr. Foster. 

Hawaiian Legation, 
Washington,. February 3, 1893. (Received February 3.) 
Sie : I beg to submit to you (copy of ) official dispatch of the Provi- 
sional Government of Hawaii, received by me yesterday. 

It announces the sending of five commissioners, Hon. L. A. Thurston, 
W. E. Castle, esq., Hon. W. C. Wilder, C. L. Carter, esq., Hon. Joseph 
Marsden, to treat with the Government of the United States. 

These gentlemen will arrive in Washington this day, and with your 
consent, I shall be glad to present them to you to-morrow, at the State 
department. 

Renewing assurance of my highest consideration, 

J. Mott Smith. 



[Inclosnre 1.] 

Mr. Dole to Mr. Smith. 

Department of Foreign Affairs, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 18, 1893. 
Sir: I have the honor to inform your excellency that by public proclamation made 
on the 17th instant, from the Government building, in all formal style, the Hawaiian 
monarchy was abrogated and a Provisional Government over the Hawaiian Islands 
established, as is duly set forth in the copy of the proclamation handed to your ex- 
cellency herewith. 

It having been found necessary to dispatch a commission of five gentlemen to 
Washington for the purpose of carrying out the 'provisions expressed in such proc- 
lamation, I have this day, by and with the advice and consent jof the executive 
and advisory councils of the Provisional Government, appointed and commissioned 
the following-named gentlemen as such commissioners: Hon. L A. Thurston, W. R. 
Castle, esq., Hon. W.'C. Wilder, C. L. Carter, esq., Hon. Joseph Marsden, who have 
been presented with the proper credentials to the President of the United States 
and the Secretary of State. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



203 



I would therefore request your excellency to render all possible aid and assistance 
in your power to the furthering of their mission, the success of which the Pro- 
visional Government earnestly desires to consummate. 
With the highest respect and consideration, 

I have the honor, etc., • Sanford B. Dole, 

Minister of Foreign Affairs. 



[Inclosure 2.] 

[Proclamation of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, January 
17, 1893, printed ante as inclosure with Mr. Stevens's No. 79 of January 18, 1893.] 



No. 10. 

Mr. Tracy to Mr. Foster, 

Navy Department, 
Washington, February 3, 1893. (Beceived February 3.) 
Sir: I nave the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a communica- 
tion received this day from Oapt. G. 0. Wiltse, U. S. Navy, command- 
ing the U. S. S. Boston, relating to Hawaiian affairs. 
I have the honor, etc., 

B. F. Tracy, 
Secretary of the Navy, 



[Inclosure.] 

Capt. Wiltse to Mr. Tracy. 

U. S. S. Boston, Second Rate, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 18, 1893. 
Sir: I have the honor to make the following report concerniug the condition of 
political affairs in the Hawaiian Islands : 

As stated in my communication of January 4, 1893. the Boston sailed from this 
port for Hilo, Hawaii, with the United States minister on board 

During the absence of the ship from this port, on January 12, the cabinet was 
voted out of office by a vote of 25 to 16. Another cabinet was appointed on 
January 14. 

On the morning .of January 14 the Boston arrived in this port from Lahina, Maui, 
and came to anchor. At noon on the same day the legislature was prorogued by 
the Queen, and it was rumored that the Queen intended proclaiming a new consti- 
tution. This, however, was not done. On Monday, January 16, there was a large 
and enthusiastic mass meeting, composed of the representative men of Honolulu, 
held in the largest hall in the city, at 2 p. m. On the same day I received from the 
United States minister a request to land the sailors and marines of the Boston to 
protect the United States legation, consulate, and the lives and property of Amer- 
ican citizens. 

At 4:30 p. m., January 16, I landed the ship's battalion under command of Lieut. 
Commander William T. Swinburne. 

One detachment of marines was placed at the legation and one at the consulate, 
while the main body of men, with two pieces of artillery, were quartered in a hall 
of central location near the Government building. 

On Tuesday, January 17, a provisional government was established and the Queen 
dethroned. 

The Provisional Government took possession of the Government buildings, the 
archives, and the treasury, the Queen acquiescing under protest. The Provisional 
Government was recognized as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands by 
the United States minister. 



204 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



The rev-ohition has beep accomplished without the loss of a single life, and 'to- 
day. January 1*. the Provisional (iovernment has possession and control of the city, 
which is under martial law. 

I am informed that commissioners will leave to-morrow lor Washington fully 
accredited for purposes of negotiation to permit these islands to come under the 
control of the United States. 
Very respectfully, 

G. C. WlI.TSE, 

Jajitain, V. S. Xavy, Commanding U. S. S. Boston. 



So. 11 

The Hawaiian special commissioTiers to Mr. Foster. 

Washington. February 3. 1893. 

Sir : "We have the honor to hereby inform you that by order of his 
excellency Sanford B. Dole, president and minister of foreign affairs 
of the executive council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian 
Islands and of the executive council of such Government. Messrs. L. 
A. Thurston. W. C. Wilder. W. B. Castle. J. Marsden, and G. L. 
Carter have been constituted and appointed special commissioners 
to the President of the United States, with instructions to proceed 
forthwith to Washington and there to represent to the President and 
Government of the United States of America the facts leading up to 
and concerning the establishment of the Provisional Government of 
the Hawaiian Islands, and to request from such Government of the 
United States of America that the acknowledgment and recognition 
of such Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands heretofore 
given to such Provisional Government by his excellency John L. Ste- 
vens, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United 
States of America at Hawaii, may be confirmed by the President and 
Government of the United States of America. 

And also the said commissioners are ins tructed and fully authorized 
and empowered by the said Provisional Government to negotiate a treaty 
between the said Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands and 
the Government of the United States of America, by the terms of which 
full and complete political union may be secured between the United 
States of America and the Hawaiian Islands. 

In accordance with such instructions we hereby present for your 
consideration a brief statement of the principal facts leading up to and 
concerning the establishment of the Provisional Government of the 
Hawaiian Islands, as follows: 

On Saturday, the 14th of January, ultimo. Her Majesty Liliuokalani, 
Queen of the Hawaiian Kingdom, attempted with force to abrogate 
the existing constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom and promulgate a 
hew constitution. Such attempt was resisted by her cabinet, whom 
she threatened Avith violence. She finally desisted from her attempt 
to immediately promulgate the proposed constitution, announcing in 
two public speeches, however, that she had not abandoned such pro- 
jeet. but would carry the same into effect " within a few days." 

All of the military and police forces of the Kingdom being directly 
under the control of the personal adherents of the Queen, the cabinet 
appealed to citizens for protection and support against the proposed 
aggression. The citizens rallied in opposition to the project of the 
Queen, and at a public meeting appointed a committee of public safety, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



205 



of thirteen members, to consider the situation and devise ways and 
means for the maintenance of the public peace and the protection of 
life and property. 

After considering the situation, such committee called a public meet- 
ing of citizens on Monday, the 16th of said January. Such meeting 
was duly held, to the number of about fifteen hundred of the leading 
citizens. A report by such committee was submitted to such meeting, 
recommend ing the adoption of certain resolutions. Such resolutions 
were unanimously adopted. A copy of such report and resolutions, 
marked In closure A, is herewith submitted. 

A few hours before such meeting a proclamation was issued by the 
Queen and cabinet, a copy of which is inclosed herewith and marked 
Inclosure B. 

On the afternoon of the same day, the Queen then having about four 
hundred men under arms and the peox3le being in open preparation for 
dethroning her, with every indication of a conflict, the United States 
troops landed and a guard was stationed at the American consulate 
and legation and the remainder were quartered in a public hall hired 
for that purpose. 

They neither then nor at any time since have taken any part either 
for or against the Queen or the Provisional Government. 

After full consideration by the said committee and consultation with 
leading citizens of all nationalities, it was the unanimous opinion of 
such committee and citizens that the statements of fact in such proclama- 
tion did not detract from the necessity for action, and the undertaking 
therein contained Avas deemed unreliable; and for the reasons briefly 
set forth in such above-mentioned report of the committee of safety 
and resolutions, and also in the •proclamation hereunder referred to, 
there was no longer any possibility of efficiently and permanently main- 
taining the public peace, and the protection of life, liberty, and property 
in Hawaii under the existing system of government, and that the only 
method of maintaining such permanent peace and security was by se- 
curing the assistance and support of the Government of the United 
States, or some other foreign power possessed of sufficient force to 
prevent the future possibility of revolution or despotic assumption of 
power in derogation of the rights of the people. 

In accordance with such conclusion, such committee, representing 
almost the entire property and intelligence of the Hawaiian Islands, on 
the 17th day of said January issued a proclamation abrogating the 
monarchy, deposing Queen Liliuokalani, and establishing a Provisional 
Government, "to exist until terms of union with the United States of 
America have been negotiated and agreed upon," a copy of which proc 
lamation, marked Inclosure C, is submitted herewith. 

Immediately after such proclamation such. Provisional Government 
took possession of the city of Honolulu, including the Government 
buildings, the archives and the treasury, and within a few hours there- 
after received surrender of all the military and police forces, thereby 
coming into full possession of the Kingdom. 

Immediately after such possession had been obtained notification 
thereof was given to the representatives of all foreign countries repre- 
sented at Honolulu, accompanied by the request that such representa- 
tives extend to said Provisional Government their recognition. 

In reply to such request the represent ati ve of the United States of 
America accorded such recognition upon the same day that it was re- 
quested, to wit, the 17th of said January, and on the following day 
recognition of such Provisional Government was made by the repre- 



206 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



sentatives of Germany, Austria- Hungary. Italy, Kussia, Spain, Norway 
and Sweden, The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Mexico, Chile, Peru, 
and China; and on the following day, to wit, the 19th of said January J 
recognition of such Provisional Government was extended by the repre- 
sentatives of France and Portugal. Copies of the acknowledgments 
of the said representatives of foreign Governments, with the exception 
of those of the representatives of Portugal and France, Avhich were 
received too late to obtain copies thereof, are inclosed herewith, marked 
Inclosure D. 

In further pursuance of such instructions we hereby request that 
the acknowledgment and recognition of the Provisional Government of 
the Hawaiian Islands by the representative of the United States of 
America at Hawaii may be confirmed by the Government of the 
United States of America. 

And also in further pursuance of such instructions we herewith 
present a communication from the said executive council of the Pro- 
visional Government of the Hawaiian Islands to Benjamin Harrison, 
President of the United States of America, informing him of the 
appointment of the above-named L. A. Thurston, W. C. Wilder, W. 
B. Castle, J. Marsden, and C. L. Carter as special commissioners with 
full power and authority to negotiate and agree upon the terms of a 
union of the Provisional Government of the Ha waiian Islands and the 
Government of the United States of America, the original of which is 
inclosed herewith and marked Inclosure E. 

The commissions of the said above-named gentlemen, as such special 
commissioners for the purpose aforesaid, are also inclosed herewith for 
inspection, and marked Inclosure F. 

In further pursuance of such instructions, we also hereby request that 
a treaty may be concluded between the Government of the United 
States of America and the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian 
Islands, by the terms of which full and complete political union may 
be secured between the United States of America and the Hawaiian 
Islands, and for that purpose we hereby request that negotiations may 
be opened between the representatives of the Government of the United 
States of America and the said special commissioners on behalf of the 
Provisional Government. 

In further pursuance of such instructions, we also herewith submit a 
copy of a protest made by her ex-majesty Queen Liliuokalani against 
the action of the said Provisional Government, which is marked Inclo- 
sure G. 

We have the honor, etc., 

L. A. Thurston, 
W. C. Wilder, 
Wm. B. Castle, 
J. Marsden, 
Charles L. Carter, 
Special Commissioners of the Provisional Government 

of the Hawaiian Islands. 



[Inclosure A.] 
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 

To the citizens of Honolulu : 

On the morning of last Saturday, the 14th instant, the city was startled by the in- 
formation that Her Majesty, Queen Liliuokalani, had announced her intention toar- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



207 



fcitrarily promulgate a new constitution, and that three of the newly appointed 
cabinetininisters had, or were about to, resign in consequence thereof. 

Immediately after the prorogation of the legislature, at noon, the Queen, accom- 
panied by her orders by the cabinet retired to the palace ; the entire military force of 
the Government was drawn up in line in front of the building, and remained there un- 
til dark, and a crowd of several hundred natives, sympathizers with the constitution 
project, gathered in the throne room and about the palace. The Queen then retired 
with the~cabinet; informed them that she had a new constitution ready ; that she in- 
tended to promulgate it and proposed to do so then and there, and demanded that 
they countersign her signature. 

She turned a deaf ear to their statements and protests, that the proposed action 
would inevitably cause the streets of Honolulu to run red with blood, and threat- 
ened that unless they complied with her demand she would herself immediately 
go out upon the steps of the palace and announce to the assembled crowd that the 
reason she did not give them the new constitution was because the ministers would 
not let her. Three of the ministers, fearing mob violence, immediately withdrew 
and returned to the Government building. They were immediately summoned back 
to the palace but refused to go, on the ground that there was no guaranty of their 
personal safety. 

. The only forces under the control of the Government are the household guards 
and the police. The former are nominally under the control of the minister of foreign 
affairs, and actually under their immediate commander. Maj. Nowlein, a personal 
adherent of the Queen. 

The pjoliee are under the control of Marshal Wilson, the open and avowed royal 
favorite. Although the marshal is nominally under the control of the attorney- 
general. Her Majesty recently announced in a public speech that she would not 
allow him to be removed. Although the marshal now states that he is opposed to 
the Queens proposition, he also states that if the final issue arises between the 
Queen and the cabinet and the people he will support the Queen. 

The cabinet was absolutely powerless and appealed to citizens for support. 

Later they reluctantly returned to the palace, by request of the Queen, and for 
nearly two hours she endeavored to force them to acquiesce in her desire, and upon 
their final refusal announced in a public speech in the throne room and again from 
the upper gallery of the palace that she desired to issue the constitution but was 
prevented from doing so by her ministers and would issue it in a few days. 

The citizens responded to the appeal of the cabinet to resist the revolutionary at- 
tempt of the Queen by gathering at the office of William 0. Smith. 

Later in the afternoon it was felt that bloodshed and riot were imminent ; that the 
comnnmity could expect no protection from the legal authorities; that on the con- 
trary they would undoubtedly be made the instruments of royal aggression. An im- 
promptu meeting of citizens was held, which was attended by the a . torney -general, 
and which was addressed, among others, by the minister of the interior, J. F. Cal- 
burn, who stated to the meeting substantially the foregoing facts. 

The meeting unanimously passed a resolution that the public welfare required the 
appointment of a committee of public safety of thirteen, to consider the situation 
and devise ways and means for the maintenance of the public peace and the protec- 
tion of life and property. 

Such committee was forthwith appointed and has followed its instructions. 

The first step which the committee consider necessary is to secure openly, publicly, 
and peaceably through the medium of a mass meeting of citizens a condemnation of 
the proceeding of the party of revolution and disorder and a confirmation from such 
larger meeting of the authority now vested in the committee. 

For such purpose the committee hereby recommends the adoption of the follow- 
ing resolution : 

RESOLUTION". 

(1) Whereas Her Majesty Liliuokalani, acting in conjunction with certain other 
persons, has illegally and unconstitutionally, and against the advice and consent of 
the lawful executive officers of the Government, attempted to abrogate the existing 
constitution and proclaim a new one in subversion of the rights of the people; 

(2) And whereas such attempt has been accompanied by threats of violence and 
bloodshed and a display of armed force; and such attempt and acts and threats are 
revolutionary and treasonable in character; 

(3) And whereas Her Majesty's cabinet have informed her that such contemplated 
action was unlawful and would lead to bloodshed and riot, and have implored and 
demanded of her to desist from and renounce such proposed action ; 

(4) And whereas such advice has been in vain, and Her Majesty has in a public 
speech announced that she was desirous and ready to promulgate such constitution, 
the same being now ready for such purpose, and that the only reason why it was not 



208 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



promulgated was because she had met with unexpected obstacles, and th;it a fitting 
opportunity iu the future must be awaited for the consummation of such object, which 
would be within a few days; 

(5) And whereas at a public meeting of citizens held in Honolulu on the 14th day 
of January instant a committee of thirteen to be known as the " Committee of Public 
Safety" was appointed to consider the situation and devise ways and means to consider 
the situatiou of the public peace and safety and the preservation of life and property ; 

(6) And whereas such committee has recommended the calling of this mass 
meeting of citizens to protest against and condemn such action, and has this day 
presented a report to such meeting denouncing the action of the Queen and her sup- 
porters as being unlawful, unwarranted, in derogation of the rights of the people, 
endangering the peace of the community, and tending to excite riot, and cause the 
loss of life and destruction of property. 

Now, therefore, we, the citizens of Honolulu, of all nationalities, and regardless of 
political party affiliations, do hereby condemn and denounce the action of the Queen 
and her supporters. 

And we do hereby latify the appointment and indorse the action and report made 
by the said committee of safety, and we do hereby further empower such committee 
to further consider the situation, and further devise such ways and means as may bo 
necessary to secure the permanent maintenance of law and order and the protection 
of life, liberty/ and property in Hawaii. 



[Inclosure B.] 
BY AUTHORITY. 

Her Majesty's ministers desire to express their appreciation for the quiet and order 
which has prevailed in this commuuity since the events of Saturday, and are author- 
ized to say that the position taken by Her Majesty in regard to the promulgation of 
a new constitution, was under stress of her native subjects. 

Authority is given for the assurance that any changes desired in the fundamental 
law of the land will be sought only by methods provided in the constitution itself. 

Her Majesty's ministers request all citizens to accept the assurance of Her Majesty 
in the same spirit which it is given. 

LlLIUKALANl. 

Samuel Parker, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

W. H. CORNWELL, 

Minister of Finance. 
John F. Colburn, 
Minister of the Interior. 
A. P. Peterson, 

Attorney- General. 

Iolani Pala.ce, January 16, IS '03. 



[Inclosure C] 

[Proclamation of Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, January 17, 
1893. Printed an te as inclosure with Mr. Stevens's No. 79 of January 18, 1893.] 



[Inclosure D.] 

United States Legation, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 17, 1893. 
A Provisional Government having been duly constituted in the place of the recent 
Government of Queen Liiiukalani, and said Provisional Government leing in full 
possession of the Government buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and in con- 
trol of the capital of the Hawaiian Islands, I hereby recognize said Provisional Gov- 
ernment as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

' John L. Stevens, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



20!) 



Imperial German Consulate, Hawaiian Islands, 

Honolulu, January 18, 1893. 
Gentlemen : I have the honor to own receipt of your esteemed favor of yesterday's 
date, and hereby take much pleasure to recognize and acknowledge, on behalf of the 
Government of Germany, the present Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and that 
I shall do all in my power to further and support the same. 

I have the honor to remain, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 

H. F. Glade, 
Imperial German Consul. 
Messrs. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William 0. Smith, 

Executive Council of the Provisional Government in Hawaii. 



AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN CONSULATE, HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, 

Honolulu, January 18, 1893. 
Gentlemen : I have the honor to own receipt of your esteemed favor of yester- 
day's date, and hereby take much pleasure to recognize and acknowledge, on behalf 
of the Austro-Hungarian Government, the present Government of the Hawaiian 
Islands, and that I shall do all in my power to further and support the same. 
I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 

H. F. Glade, 
Austro-Hungarian Consul. 
Messrs. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith, 

Executive Council of the Provisional Government in Hawaii. 



Honolulu, January 18, 1893. 

Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication 
of yesterday's date, together with a copy of the proclamation issued yesterday, 
whereby you inform me that for reasons set forth the Hawaiian monarchy has been 
abrogated and a Provisional Government established, the same being now in posses- 
sion of the Government departmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and 
whereby you request me to recognize the said Provisional Government on behalf of 
the Government of Italy as the existing de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands 
and to afford to it the moral support of my Government. 

In response I have the honor to say that I comply with the above request and 
recognize the said Provisional Government as far as my authority as consul for Italy 
may'permit me to act for and on behalf of His Italian Majesty's Government in the 
premises. 

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, you very obedient servant, 

F. A. Schaeeer, 

Consul for Italy. 

Hon. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and W. 0. Smith. 

Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, 



Vice-Consulate of Russia, 

Honolulu, January 18, 1893. 
Sirs : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 17th 
instant, and in reply beg to inform you that I take the pleasure to recognize the 
Provisional Government of Hawaii, as defined in the proclamation inclosed in your 
letter on behalf of the Government of Russia, and I shall afford to it my moral support 
as representative of the country last named. 

I have the- honor to. be, sirs, your most obedient servant, 

» J. F. Hackfeld, 

Acting Vice-Consul. 

Messrs. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith, 

Executive Council of the Provisional Government of Hawaii, Honolulu. 

H. Ex. 43 14 



210 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Honolulu, January IS, 1S93. 
Gentlemen : I have the honor to own the receipt of your communication of yes 
terday's date, together with a copy of the proclamation issued yesterday, informin 
me that for reasons set forth the Hawaiian monarchy has been abrogated and a pro- 
visional government established, and requesting me to recognize the said Provisional 
Government, on behalf of the Spanish Government, as the existing de facto Govern 
ment of the Hawaiian Islands, and to afford to it the moral support of my Govern 
ment. 

In response I have the honor to say that I comply with the above request and 
recognize the said Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Ha- 
waiian Islands within the scope of my authority. 

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant, 

H. Renjes, 
Vice- Consul for Spain. 
Hons. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and W. 0. Smith, 

Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 



Kongl. Swensta och Worsta Konfulatet, 

Honolulu, January 18, 1893. 
Gentlemen : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellencies' 
communication of January 17, informing me that the Hawaiian monarchy has been 
abrogated and that a provisional government has been "established in Hawaii for 
reasons set forth in a proclamation, of which you sent me a copy; also that such 
provisional government has been proclaimed, is now in possession of the Government 
departmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and is in control of the city. 

In reply to your request to recognize the Provisional Government and afford it the 
moral support of my Government, I beg to say that I do recognize it as the existing 
de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and that I shall report to my Govern- 
ment immediately. 

Your excellencies' most obedient servant, 

H. W. Schmidt, 

Consul. 



Consulate of The Netherlands, 

Honolulu, January 18, 1893. 
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the communication of the 
executive council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, announc- 
ing the abrogation of the Hawaiian monarchy; of your possession of the Govern- 
ment departmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, as well as being in 
control of tne city. 

Added to the above is your request for the official recognition of the existing de 
facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands on behalf of the Kingdom of the Nether- 
lands, which I have the honor to represent, and to give you the moral support of 
my Government. 

In reply I take pleasure in assuring the gentlemen of the executive council that 
I cordially extend to them full assent to their claim for recognition, and of my 
intention to add such moral support as may come within the scope of my consular 
authority. 

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your very obedient servant, 

John H. Paty, 
Consul for The Netherlands. 
Messrs. S. B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and W. 0. Smith, 

Executive Council, Hawaiian Provisional Government, etc. 



Royal Danish Consulate, 

Honolulu, January 18, 1893. 
Sirs: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of ye 
ter day's date, inclosing a copy of proclamation issued last evening, informing me 
that for reasons set forth in said proclamation the Hawaiian monarchy has been ab- 
rogated and a provisional government established, which is now in possession of th 
Government departmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and reques x 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



211 



ing me. on hehalf of the Government of Denmark, to recognize said Provisional Gov- 
ernment as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and to accord to it the 
moral support of ray Government. 

In reply I have the honor to state that I hereby comply with the above request, 
recognize the said Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Ha- 
waiian Islands, to the extent that my authority will allow me to act, pending a reply 
from my Government. 

I have the honor to he, sirs, yours, most obediently, 

E. C. Macfarlaxe, 
Acting Vice-Consul for Denmark. 

Messrs. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith, 

Executive Council of Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 



Consulate of Belgium, January IS, 1893. 
Sirs : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 
17th instant, and in reply beg to inform yow that I take pleasure to recognize the 
Provisional Government of Hawaii, as defined in the proclamation inclosed in your 
letter, in behalf of the Government of Belgium, and I shall afford to it my moral 
support as representative of the country last named. 

I have the honor to be, sirs, your most obedient servant, 

J. F. Hackfeld, 

Consul. 

Messrs. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith, 

Executive Council of the Provisional Government of Hawaii, Honolulu. 



Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 18, 1893. 
Gentlemen : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication 
of yesterday's date, together with a copy of the proclamation issued yesterday, in- 
forming me that for reasons set forth the Hawaiian monarchy has been abrogated 
and a provisional government established, and requesting me to recognize the said 
Provisional Government on behalf of the Mexican Government as the existing de 
facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and to afford to it the moral support of 
my Government. 

In answer I have the honor to state that I comply with the above request and 
recognize the said Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian 
Islands, within the scope of my authority. 

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant, 

H. Eenjes, 
Consul for Mexico. 
Hons. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and W. 0. Smith, 

Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 



Consulate of Chile, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 18, 1893. 

Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication 
of yesterday's date, together with a copy of the proclamation issued yesterday, 
whereby I am informed that for reasons set forth the Hawaiian monarchy has been 
abrogated and a Provisional Government established, the same being now in posses- 
sion of the Government departmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and 
whereby you request me to recognize the said Provisional Government as the existing 
de facto Government on behalf of the Government of Chile and afford to it the moral 
support of my Government. 

In response I have the *honor to say that I comply with the above request and 
recognize the said Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian 
Islands so far as my authority as consul of Chile may permit me to act for and on 
behalf of the Government of the Republic of Chile in the premises. 
I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant, 

H. A. SCHAEFER, 

Consul for Chile. 

Hons. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and W. O. Smith, 

Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 



212 



HAWAIIAN , ISLANDS. 



Office of the Peruvian Consulate, 

Honolulu, January 18, 1893. 
Gentlemen : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your valued com- 
munication of the 17th instant, inclosing a copy of the proclamation then issued, 
wherein it is set forth that the Hawaiian monarchy has been abrogated and a Pro- 
visional Government established. 

You request me to recognize said Government, on the behalf of the Government of 
Peru, as the existing de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and to afford it 
the moral supx)ort of my Government. 

I have the honor to state in reply that I take pleasure in complying with your re- 
quest, and I hereby recognize the said Government as the de facto Government of the 
Hawaiian Islands in so far as my authority in the premises will permit. 
I have the honor to remain, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 

Bruce Cartwright, 

Consul for Peru, 

Hons. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith, 
Memlers of the Executive Council of the Provisional Government 

of the Hawaiian Islands. 



. ; Chinese Commercial Agency, 

Honolulu, January 19, 1893. 
Gentlemen : We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular let- 
ter of the 17th instant, covering a copy of the proclamation issued yesterday whereby 
you inform us that the Hawaiian monarchy has been abrogated and a Provisional 
Government established, the latter being now in possession of the Government de- 
partmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and whereby you request us 
to recognize the said Provisional Government on behalf of the Government of the 
Empire^ of China as the existing de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and 
to afford to it the moral support of our Government. 

In answer we have the honor to say that we comply with your request and recog- 
nize the said Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Is- 
lands so far as our authority as commercial agents of China may allow us to act 
for and on behalf of His Imperial Majesty's Government in this matter. 
We have the honor to be, gentlemen, your most obedient servants, 

Goo Kim, 
Chinese Commercial Agent. 
Wong Kwai, 
Assistant Chinese Commercial Agent. 

Hons. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith, 
Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 



[Iucloswre E.] 

[Credential letters of the Hawaiian Commissioners. Printed post as paper No. 12.] 



[Inclosure P.] 

[Commissions of the Hawaiian commissioners. Printed post as paper No. 13.] 



rinciosnre P. J 
PROTEST OF QUEEN LILIUOKALANI. 

I, Liliuokalani, by the grace of God am-, under the constitution of the Ha- 
waiian Kingdom, Queen, do hereby solemnly protest against any and all acts done 
against myself and the constitutional government of the Hawaiian Kingdom by cer- 
tain persons claiming to have established a Pro visional Government of and for this 
Kingdom. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



213 



That I yield to the superior force of the United Stales of America, whose minister 
plenipotentiary, his excellency John L. Stevens, has caused United States troops 
to he landed at Honolulu and declared that he would support the said Provisional 
Government. 

Now, to avoid any collision of armed forces, and perhaps the loss of life, I do un- 
der this protest and impelled hy said force yield my authority until such time as the 
Government of the United States shall, upon the facts being presented to it, undo 
the action of its representative and reinstate me in the authority which I claim as 
the constitutional sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands. 

Done at Honolulu the 17th day of January A. D., 1893. 

LlLIUOKALANI R. 

Samuel Parker, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs. 
WM; H. Cromwell, 

Minister of Finance. 
Jno. F. Colburn, 

Minister of the Interior. 
A. P. Peterson, 

Attorney- General. 

S. B. Dole, esq., and others, 

Composing the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

(Indorsed:) Received hy the hands of the late cabinet this 17th day of January, 
A. D. 1893. Sanford B. Dole, chairman of executive council of Provisional Govern- 
ment. 



No. 12. 

Credential letters of the Hawaiian Commissioners, exhibited to the Secre- 
tary of State February 4, 1893. 

Sanford B. Dole, president of the executive and advisory councils ot 
the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, to His Excel- 
lency Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States of America. 

Great and Good Friend: Eeposing special trust in the wisdom, 
integrity, and ability of the Hon. LorriuA. Thurston, one of our dis- 
tinguished citizens, we have appointed and do hereby constitute and 
appoint him to be a Special Commissioner of the Provisional Govern- 
ment of the Hawaiian Islands, with full power and authority to confer 
with your excellency, or your successors in office, or with any properly 
constituted and appointed persons and authorities of the United States 
Government, to negotiate and agree upon the terms of a union of the 
Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands and the Government 
of the United States of America, or to negotiate the terms upon which 
such union may be made. 

He is well informed of the relative interests of the two countries, and 
of our earnest desire to further strengthen and cement the bonds that 
now exist between us, and from a knowledge of his fidelity, probity, and 
good conduct, we have entire confidence that he will render himself 
acceptable to your excellency and to the authorities of the United States 
Government by his constant endeavors to advance measures for the 
mutual benefit of both countries. 

We therefore desire that your excellency will receive him favorably, 
and give full credence to what he may say as the " Commissioner of the 
Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands," and, most of all, 
when he shall assure your excellency of the earnest wish and desire of 
our Provisional Government for closer and more intimate relations than 
those now existing and of our abiding faith in the continued friendship 
of the great nation over which your excellency so ably presides. 



214 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



We pray God to have your excellency ever in His safe and holy 
keeping. 

Written at the Government house, at Honolulu, this eighteenth day 
of January, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and ninety-three. 

Sanfokd B. Dole, 
President of the Executive and Advisory Councils of the 

Provisional Government of the Haicaiian Islands. 

By the President : 
J. A. King, 

Minister of the Interior, 
P. 0. Jones, 

Minister of Finance, 
William O. Smith, 

Attorney- General, 
Executive Council of the Provisional Government 

of the Hawaiian Islands. 

(Similar letters of credence were delivered by the other Commission- 
ers, Messrs. W. 0. Wilder, William R. Castle, C. L. Carter, and Joseph 
Marsden.) 



No. 13. 

Commissions of the Hawaiian special commissioners, exhibited to the Sec- 
retary of State February 3, 1893. 

Sanford B. Dole, president of the executive and advisory councils of 
the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, to Hon. Lorriu 
A. Thurston, greeting: 

Know ye, that we, the executive council of the Provisional Govern,- 
ment, reposing special trust and confidence in your wisdom, integrity, 
and fidelity, have constituted and appointed you, and do by these pres- 
ents hereby constitute and appoint you a special commissioner to the 
President of the United States to negotiate with him, or another or 
others who may be appointed by him, certain matters detailed to you 
in your letter of instructions issued to you by said council, and to faith- 
fully discharge and perform all the duties pertaining to said office 
under said instructions; and all persons are hereby commanded to re- 
spect this, your authority. 

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and the seal of 
the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, in Honolulu, 
this eighteenth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and 
ninety-three. 

[seal.] Sanford B. Dole, 

President. 

By the President: 
J. A. King, 

Minister of the Interior, 
P. C. Jones, 

Minister of Finance, 
William O. Smith, 

Attorney- General, 
Executive Council of the Provisional 

Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 
(The text of the commissions of Messrs. Castle, Wilder, Carter, and 
Marsden read the same, mutatio nominis.) 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



215 



No. 14. 

The Hawaiian special commissioners to Mr. Foster, 

Washington, D. C, February 4, 1893. (Received February 4.) 
Sir: In accordance with the statement this day made by you to us 
that, by order of the President, you had. confirmed the recognition of 
the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands already extended 
to such Provisional Government by his excellency John L. Stevens, 
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United. States 
of America at Hawaii; and in accordance with your further statement, 
then made, that you accepted the credentials presented by us as special 
commissioners from the said Provisional Government to the Government 
of the United States of America for the purpose of negotiating a treaty 
between the said two governments by the terms of which full and com- 
plete political union may be secured between the United States of 
America and the Hawaiian Islands, and that you are now prepared to 
receive from us as such commissioners proposals in connection with the 
formation of such treaty for your consideration, we have the honor to 
state that, although we are invested by our Government with full dis- 
cretionary power as to the terms of such treaty, subject to its final rat- 
ification, it is the desire of our Government that certain terms and con- 
ditions shall be incorporated in such treaty, and we hereby submit to 
you a general outline of such terms and conditions, viz : 

(1) That such treaty may secure full, complete, and perpetual 
political union between the United States of America and the Ha waiian 
Islands. 

(2) That the form of local government to be established in the 
Hawaiian Islands shall be substantially the form now existing in Ter- 
ritories of the United States, with such modifications, restrictions, and 
changes therein as the exigencies of the existing circumstances may 
require and as may be hereafter agreed upon. 

(3) That all appointments to office iu the Hawaiian Islands shall 
be made from among persons who have lived in said islands for a term 
of not less than five years-. 

(4) That the payment of the Hawaiian national debt, including 
the amounts due by the Government to depositors in the Hawaiian 
Postal Savings Bank shall be assumed by the Government of the United 
States of America. 

(5) That the lands located at the said Hawaiian Islands heretofore 
known as government lands and crown lands and all other government 
property, and all the proceeds thereof -and receipts therefrom shall 
continue to be the property of the local government of the said island's, 
under whatever form it may be established, and all the proceeds thereof 
devoted to the purposes and uses of such local government. 

(6) That within a given period, say one year, or such other period as 
may be mutually agreed upon, the Government of the United States of 
America shall lay and thereafter maintain a telegraphic cable between 
the Pacific coast of the said United States of America and the Hawaiian 
Islands. 

(7) That the United States Government shall, so soon as is reasona- 
bly practicable, open the entrance to Pearl Harbor and establish a 
coaling and naval station adjacent thereto. 

(8) That articles, the produce or manufacture of the Hawaiian Islands, 
shall in all respects be treated and considered as products of the United 
States. 



216 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



(9) That the United States laws now or hereafter to be enforced in 
the United States of America shall not be taken to prohibit at any 
time the introduction into the Hawaiian Islands of laborers who may 
be introduced exclusively for the purpose of agricultural labor and 
domestic service, and who by appropriate legislation shall be confined 
to such employment and to the Hawaiian Islands. 

(10) That contracts for labor under the Hawaiian labor-contract laws 
now existing, or which shall be entered into prior to the promulgation 
of notice of the final ratification of such treaty, shall not be abrogated, 
but shall continue in force to the end of the several terms thereof. 
That with the exception of such labor contracts no labor contracts 
shall hereafter be penally enforcible. 

(11) That all laws and the system of criminal and civil jurisprudence 
in force at the Hawaiian Islands at the date of the ratification of such 
treaty, which are not specifically abrogated or modified by the terms 
of such treaty, or which are not inconsistent with the Constitution of 
the United States, shall remain in force until the same are regularly 
repealed by the appropriate authority. 

(12) That appropriate financial provision be made for the support 
of the ex-Queen Liliuokalani and the ex-heir presumptive Kaiulohi as 
long as they shall in good faith submit to the authority and abide by 
the laws of the government established by virtue of this treaty. 

We have, etc., 

L. A. Thurston, 
W. C. Wilder, 
J. Marsden, 
Wm. E. Castle, 
Charles L. Carter, 
Special Commissioners of the Provisional Government 

of th e Ha w a i i a n Is Jan ds. 



No. 15. 

The Commissioners of the Hawaiian Provisional Government to Mr, 

Foster. 

Washington, D. 0., February 11, 1893. (Bec'd Feb. 11.) 

Sir : The ex-Queen of Hawaii, Liliuokalani, having sent to the Pres- 
ident of the United States a protest against the action of the Ha waiian 
Provisional Government, we beg to make a brief reply to the state- 
ments contained in such protest. 

The protest sets forth as the two main grounds of complaint the fact 
that certain of her subjects had revolted against her, aided by United 
States troops, and, secondly, that the Provisional Government had char- 
tered the only available steamer at Honolulu, upon which they had 
sent commissioners to Washington and had refused to allow a repre- 
sentative from the Queen to come forward by the same steamer. 

Before replying to these two statements we call attention to the fact 
that the protest entirely suppresses the fact that the Queen herself had 
been guilty of an illegal act; that she had herself initiated violence, 
and that the action taken by the subjects who had, as she says, revolted 
against her was in resistance to her own attempted subversion of the 
constitution and laws of the land. As the tact that she did make such 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



217 



an attempt with threats against .her legal advisers, and with a show 
and preparation, is not denied by the Queen or anyone on her behalf, 
we submit that the omission of any reference to such undoubted facts, 
so radically essential to a proper understanding of the matter, properly 
tends to throw discredit upon the Queen's statements. 

In reply to the charge that United States troops assisted in the over- 
throw of the monarchy, we deny the statement most emphatically. 

A brief recital of the facts, without argument on our part, is ainply 
sufficient to show the incorrectness of the charge made. 

Such facts are briefly these : 

First. At the time of the initiation of the trouble by the attempt of 
the Queen to submit the constitution and promulgate a new one, the 
American minister and the American ship-of-war Boston were both ab- 
sent from Honolulu and had been for ten days previously thereto. 

Second. The first exhibition of force was made by the Queen on Sat- 
urday, the 14th of January, by the public parading of the entire mili- 
tary force, armed with repeating rifles and. carrying a full supply of ball 
cartridges. The members of the police department were also armed. 
In addition thereto there were located at the palace and barracks and 
the police station an additional body of armed men to the number of 
540 according to their own statement. This additional body of armed 
men was not authorized by law and was assembled contrary to a 
specific law of the Kingdom. 

Third. The first call to arms in opposition to the Queen was issued 
by the cabinet on the afternoon of January 14. 

Fourth. Although on Saturday, the 14th, Sunday, the lothj and 
Monday, the 16th, the most intense feelings of hostility were publicly 
manifested between the adherents of the Queen on the one hand and 
the promoters of the movement for the establishment of a Provisional 
Government on the other, with every indication of an armed conflict 
which might be precipitated at any moment, it was not until 5 o'clock 
on Monday afternoon, the 16th of January, after the request had been 
made to the American minister by many American citizens, that the 
United States troops were landed. 

Fifth. Upon landing, a guard was posted at the American consulate 
and legation, and the remainder of the troops were quartered that 
night in a public hall hired for that purpose. Up to the time the com- 
missioners left Honolulu at 9 o'clock on the morning of the 19th of 
January, all of the American troops had remained upon the premises 
where they were respectively located. No demonstration was made by 
the troops in any manner whatever. The uniform of the United States 
was not seen upon the streets, except upon the persons of the indi- 
vidual officers passing between the points at which troops were located 
in the execution of their own business. 

Sixth. At the time the Provisional Govern inent took possession of the 
Government buildings, no American troops or officers were present or 
took part in such proceedings in any manner whatever. No public 
recognition was a ccorded the Provisional Government by the American 
minister until they were in possession of the Government buildings, 
the archives, and the treasury, supported by several hundred armed 
men, and after the abdication by the Queen and the surrender to the 
Provisional Government of her forces. 

It is submitted that the foregoing statement of facts amply meets 
the charge made by the Queen that American troops coerced her action 
in abdication. 

In reply to the second statement of the Queen, that the Provisional 



218 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Government took the only vessel available to go to San Francisco and 
refused to allow her representative to come to San Francisco thereon, 
we beg to state that the charge is entirely incorrect. 

As a matter of fact, the Inter Island fleet of steamers consists of 
twenty vessels, all of which, Avith two exceptions, were bnilt abroad 
and navigated to the islands. Of such vessels at least ten are as fully 
capable of making the trip to San Francisco as was the vessel chartered 
and dispatched by the Provisional Government. 

As the Provisional Government had allowed a mail to be sent by the 
chartered steamer, they did not consider that there was any reason for 
financially assisting the Queen in forwarding to Washington an agent 
hostile to the Government and its objects. So far as is known to the 
commissioners, there is no reason why the Queen should not have 
chartered a steamer at Honolulu and forwarded an agent to San Fran- 
cisco thereon if she had desired so to do. Certainly there was nothing 
done by the Provisional Government to prevent her doing so. 
With assurances of the highest consideration, etc., 

L. A. Thurston, 
W. 0. Wilder, 
Wm. X. Castle, 
J. Marsden, 
Charles L. Carter, 
Commissioners of the Hawaiian Provisional Government 



No. 16. 

Mr. Carter to Mr. Foster. 

Washington, D. 0., 
February 11, 1893. (Received February 11, 1893.) _ 
Sir : In response to your request for information on the subjects of 
the resources of the ex-Queen and the Princess Kauilani, the public 
lands, and the islands and dependencies of the Hawaiians, the inclosed 
statements have been prepared from such sources of information as 
Avere available to the commission, and are submitted for the use of your 
Department. 

With assurance of esteem, I am, etc., 

Charles L. Carter. 



[In closure 1.] 

RESOURCES OF THE QUEEN AND PRINCESS KAIULANI. 

The Queen. — The private recourses of the ex-Queen are not definitely kncwii, 
further than that she has some valuable lands, productive and unproduc- 
tive, and that she was the sole devisee of her late husband, John O. 
Dominis, whose estate was appraised at $20,000 in the probate court; 
probably her private income is in the neighborhood, per annum, of ... 

The public supplies for the sovereign for the current biennial period ending 
March, 1894, were as follows : 

Her Majesty's privy purse 

Her Majesty's household expenses 

State entertainments 



$5, 000 



33, 332 
10, 000 
4,000 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



210 



The Grown lands. — The agent of the commissioners of Crown lands informed 
• Mr. Carter a few weeks ago that the net revenue was between $55,000 

ana $60,000: gross revenue, estimated. $60,000 

No accounts are kept a Available to the public. 

Tlie ex-Queen was born on the 2d day of September. 1838, and is now in 
her fifty-fourth year. 

The Princess Kaialani (born October 16, 1875, and now in her eighteenth 
year). — The accounts of the guardian of this lady, filed annually in the pro- 
bate court, to the best recollection of the commissioners, show an annual 

income from private sources of 4, 000 

The public supplies appropriated for the current biennial period were: 

Direct allowance 10, 000 

Traveling expenses 4, 000 



[Inclosure 2.] 



STATEMENT OP PUBLIC LANDS. 



Crown lands. — These lands are those set apart for the maintenance of the royal 
state of Hawaiian sovereigns. They have been the subject of legislation from time 
to time. Three commissioners are empowered to lease them for terms not to exceed 
thirty years. The net revenue is paid to the sovereign. 

These lands are situated on all of the main islands and comprise some of the 
finest tracts in the country. Total area, 876,000 acres. (See Report Minister of the 
Interior, 1890, p. 293.) 

Government lands.— These -lands were set apart to assist in defraying the expense of 
maintaining organized government. They have been in the care of the minister of 
the interior, subject to sale or lease at his discretion, with checks providing for 
publicity, due notice of disposal, etc. Total area, 875,500 acres. 

School lands. — These were set apart for industrial purposes, and were for the greater 
part supplanted by Government bonds, as set forth in note to statement of public 
debt. There remain about 200 school sites of from one-fourth of an acre to 5 acres, 
and two tracts of about 2,000 acres. 



[Inclosure 3.] 
The Hawaiian Islands and dependencies. 



Name. 



Population, 
1890. 



Hawaii 

Maui 

Oahu 

Kauai 

Molokai 

Lanai 

Niihau 

Kahoolawe , 

ISTihoa or Bird Island 

Johnsons or Cornwallis 1 do 

Keekers 

French Frigate Shoals 

Brothers Reef 

Garden Island 

Aliens Reef 

Lay sans Island 

Lisiansky Island 

Philadelphia or Bunkers 

Pearl or Hermes Reef 

Middle Island (Midway or Brooks Island) 

Ocean Island 

Palmyra Island do 

i 




And all outlying and adjoining reefs, atolls, islets, and unnamed islands. 



220 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

Xo. 17. 

Mr. Tracy to Mr. Foster. 

Xavy Department, 
Washington, February 11, 189S. (Received February 11.) 
Sir*: I have the honor to transmit for your information a copy of a 
translation of a cipher dispatch received this date from the command- 
ing officer of the U. 8. S. Boston, at Honolulu, Hawaii. 
Very respectfully, 

B. F. Tracy, 
Secretary of the Navy. 



[Inclosiire — telegram .] 

Mr. Wiltse to Mr. Tracy. 

Honolulu. February 1, 1S9S. (San Francisco, Cal., February 10.) 
Oapt. Wiltse reports that no change has occurred in the situation and that until 
the Government of Hawaii expresses a desire bo have the forces withdrawn, and the 
minister approves such desire a battalion will he kept ashore for the protection of 
the lives and property of citizens of the United .States in the island: he reports the 
progress of the Hawaiian Government which is daily gaining ground and has or- 
ganized forces; he announces that the minister plenipotentiary of the United States 
placed the Government of Hawaii under the protection of the United States, during 
negotiations not interfering with the execution of public affairs, on this day at 9 a. 
m. in accordance with the request of the Provisional Government of Hawaii, and 
says that he has sent telegrams of the minister to the Secretary of State. 



No. 18. 

Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. 

Department of State, 
Washington, February 11, 1893. 
Sir: Your cipher telegram, dated the 1st instant, and transmitted 
through the Xavy Department's good offices, was received here at 1:30 
p. m. on the 9th instant. 

You therein make the following important statement: 

To-day. at 9 a. m.. in accordance with the request of the Provisional Government 
of Hawaii. J have placed government of Hawaii under the United States protection 
during negotiations, not interfering with the execution of public affairs. 

The precise character and scope of the act thus announced by you do 
not appear from this brief recital. The press, however, prints full de- 
tails of the occurrences of the 1st instant, as telegraphed from San 
Francisco on the arrival of the mail steamer A ustrah'a at that port on the 
morning of the 9th, and I therein find what purports, with appearance 
of general correctness, to be the text of a proclamation issued by you 
on the 1st instant, which reads as follows: 

By authority to the Hawaiian people: 

At the request of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. I hereby, 
in the name of the United States of America, assume protection of the Hawaiian Is- 
lands for the protection of life and property, and occupation of the public buildings 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



221 



and HaAvaiiaii soil, so far as may be necessary for the purpose specified, but not in- 
terfering with the administration of public affairs by the Provisional Government. 
This action is taken pending and subject to negotiations at Washington. 

John L. Stevens, 
Envoi/ Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, 
United States Legation, February 1, 1893. 

Approved and executed by C. C. Wiltse, captain, IT. S. Navy, commanding L r . S. 
S. Boston. 

The manner and degree of the execution of your proclamation by 
the naval force are not related with particularity in a brief telegraphic 
report just received from Oapt. Wiltse. He merely says : 

To-day at 9 a. m. in accordance with request of Provisional Government of Ha- 
waii, the United States minister plenipotentiary placed the Government of Hawaii 
under United States protection, during negotiations, not interfering with the execu- 
tion of public affairs. 

It appears from the press reports that the ceremonial for the execu- 
tion of your orders consisted in the landing of a battalion from the 
Boston, its formation at the Government building in concert with three 
volunteer companies of the Provisional Government, the reading of 
your proclamation by Lieut. Rush, and the hoisting of the United 
States flag over the Government building. The Hawaiian flag on other 
public buildings in Honolulu is stated not to have been disturbed. 

The phraseology of your proclamation in announcing your action in 
assumption of protection of the Hawaiian Islands in the name of the 
United States would appear to be tantamount to the assumption of a 
protectorate oyer those islands in behalf of the United States with all 
the rights and obligations which the term implies. To this extent it 
goes beyond the necessities of the situation and the instructions here- 
tofore given you. 

Your existing instructions, and those under which the commanders 
of naval vessels of the United States acted, were and are ample to pro- 
vide all legitimate material protection in case of need, either in your 
discretion or at the request of the duly constituted authorities of the 
Hawaiian Islands, for the lives and property of American citizens en- 
dangered or menaced, or for the prevention of lawless and tumultuous 
acts of disturbance of the public peace and safety. The accordance of 
such measures of protection, or the unsolicited taking of the needful 
precautions to those ends is, however, not to be confounded with the 
establishment of a protectorate, which is in fact the positive erection of 
a paramount authority over or in place of the duly constituted local 
government, and the assumption, by the protector, of the especial re- 
sponsibilities attached to such formal protection. 

It is not thought probable that the Provisional Government of the 
Haw aiian Islands, in soliciting protection, contemplated more than the 
cooperation of the moral and material forces of the United States to 
strengthen its own authority and power, as a recognized sovereign Gov- 
ernment, for the protection of life and property, as stated in your proc- 
lamation. Such a decree of protection you were, as I have said, 
already fully competent to accord, or to exercise in your discretion, in 
case of need. 

Your proclamation expresses no reservation as to confirmation of your 
action by the Government of the United States. Its provisos are, that 
the assumed function of protection is to be exercised so far as may be 
necessary for the specified purpose of protecting life and property, with- 
out interference with the administration of public affairs by the Provis- 
ional Government, and that the action in question ; 'is taken pending 



222 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



and subject to negotiations at Washington.' 7 These qualifications are 
entirely in the line of my views of the scope and intent of the request 
made to you by the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 
The omission of reference to the necessary sanction of the Government 
of the United States is immaterial, for its function of revision and con- 
firmation or disavowal of the acts of its agents is inherent and exercis- 
able at its discretion.. 

So far, therefore, as your action amounts to according, at the request 
of the de facto sovereign Government of the Hawaiian Islands, the co- 
operation of the moral and material forces of the United States for the 
protection of life and property from apprehended disorders, your action 
is commended. But so far as it may appear to overstep that limit by 
setting the authority and power of the United States above that of the 
Government of the Hawaiian Islands, in the capacity of protector, or 
to impair in anyway the independent sovereignty of the Hawaiian 
Government by substituting the flag and power of the United States 
as the symbol and manifestation of paramount authority, it is dis- 
avowed. 

Instructions will be sent to the commanding officers of the United 
States naval forces in the Hawaiian Islands confirming and renewing 
the instructions heretofore given them under which they are authorized 
and directed to cooperate with you for the preservation of American 
life and property, and the maintenance of good order in case of need. 
Your own instructions in the same sense are continued. 

You are accordingly authorized, upon the receipt of these instruc- 
tions, to arrange with the commanding naval officer for the continued 
presence on shore of such marine force as may be practicable and 
requisite for the security of the lives and property interests of citizens 
of the United States, and the repression of lawlessness and public dis- 
turbance threatening them, whenever in your judgment it shall be nec- 
essary so to do, or when such cooperative measures may be sought for 
good cause by the Government of the Hawaiian Islands; being, how- 
ever, always careful to make due discrimination between those func- 
tions of voluntary or accorded protection and the assumption of a pro- 
tectorate over the Hawaiian Islands by the United States. No step 
should be taken by you, or will be sanctioned by this Government, 
which might tend to derogate in anyway from the independence of the 
Government of the Hawaiian Islands, which the United States have 
recognized as sovereign and with which they treat on terms of sover- 
eign equality. 

A telegraphic instruction briefly outlining the substance of this dis- 
patch, will be sent to you, by way of San Francisco, by the mail 
steamer sailing from that port on the 15th instant, 
lam, sir, etc., 

John W. Foster. 



No. 19. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 82.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 1, 1893. (Received February 14, 5 p. m.) 
Sir: Everything is moving on here quietly. The Provisional Gov- 
ernment is discharging its responsibilities with firmness, discretion, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



223 



and in the spirit of conciliation and magnanimity. The annexation 
sentiment has constantly increased since the departure of the Commis- 
sioners for Washington, and with healthful earnestness is taking- 
possession of all classes. Nearly all the Germans, the larger propor- 
tion of the respectable and responsible English, and almost the entire 
Portuguese population are warmly for annexation. This inclination of 
the Portuguese is quite important, for they number seven or eight thou- 
sand, and are among the most industrious and saving. 

As to terms of annexation I still adhere firmly to the opinion ex- 
pressed in my dispatch 74, that the sugar bounty to be paid to the 
Hawaiian sugar planters should be limited to 6 mills per pound, $12 
per ton, so long and only so long as the United States bounty system 
shall be maintained. To the objection that this allows only $12 per 
ton on Hawaiian sugar, while the Hawaiian planters get twice the 
amount per acre that the Louisiana planters do, on the average, and 
as I said in my dispatch 74, the consensus of opinion among the lead- 
ing planters here, obtained by me five or six months since, was and is 
that $12 per ton bounty will place all the Hawaiian plantations worth 
maintaining on the road of financial safety and success. 

As to the form of government for the islands I now only vary from 
views expressed in my 74 as to incline strongly to the opinion that 
the beginning should be substantially like that of President Jefferson 
and Congress in respect of Louisiana, in the act of 1804 (page 283, 
United States Statutes at Large), only differing from that by provid- 
ing in addition to governor, attorney- general, a commissioner of finance, 
and commissioner of the interior, and a legislative council of thirteen 
or fourteen, all to be appointed by the President, unless it should be 
deemed best for the governor to appoint attorney- gen era! and the com- 
missioners of finance and of the interior, who would be practically a 
cabinet of three to aid the governor to carry on the government. This 
plan and method of government could be maintained as a transition 
government until experience should prove it best to change to a more 
popular form. 

In the meantime the responsible voters would rapidly increase, and 
American ideas and interests would gain in force and volume. My 
private consultation with the Provisional Government since the depar- 
ture of the commissioners for Washington has led us to think highly of 
the Jefferson act of 1804 for Louisiana as a transition expedient for 
Hawaii. This would cause no shock, and would allow affairs to move 
along on safe and conservative lines Until time and experience demand 
something better. It would be fortunate to have such a man as San- 
find JB. Dole, the present head of the Provisional Government; the first 
American governor of Hawaii. 

As to liquidation of all political claims of the fallen Queen and the 
crown princess, may I be allowed to suggest that the spirit and import 
of the March treaty plan of 1854 had better be adopted, which au- 
thorized the expenditure of $1(10,000 for like purposes. I therefore 
suggest, that if a liquidation of this kind be now under consideration 
and $150,000 should be allowed as the total sum for this purpose, 
$70,000 should go to the fallen Queen, Liliuokalani, and $70,000 to the 
crown princess, Kaiulani, and $5,000 to each of the two young princes. 
The last named, the two princes, are harmless young persons, of little 
account, not chiefs by blood, but they were made princes by the late 
King Kalakaua, without any constitutional right or power to do so, the 
then boys being nephews of his wife, Kapiolani. Should the entire sum 



224 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



granted for frhe.se purposes be greater or less than $150,000 I advis 
that the above specified proportions be maintained. 

As to the native Hawaiians and their native leaders at this time 
things are tending favorably toward annexation. Mr. Kauhane, fo 
many years a member of the legislature, and regarded, for many years 
the best native in the islands in public life, a noble in the recent sessior 
of tha t body, is earnest for annexation. So is Mr. Kauhi, a member o 
the legislature, from this island. Hon. John W. Kalua, the ablest 
native lawyer in the islands, years a member of former legislatures, from 
the important island of Maui, thinks the fall of the Queen and the 
extinction of the monarchy a boon to Hawaii, and he is for annexation. 
Robert W. Wilcox, the half- white native, who led the Hawaiian revolt 
in 1889, which came so near being successful, is now for annexation. 
He was educated in Italy, at a military school, is 37 years of age, his 
father being a citizen of Bhode Island, and, it is said, is still living in 
that State. This Wilcox has more fighting ability than any other 
nati ve Hawaiian, and will be proud to become an American citizen, and 
at a future time to serve in the Army or civil service of the United 
States. 

The ablest of the native Hawaiian Christian ministers are strong in 
their American sympathies. The pastor of the large native Hawaiian 
church in this city, a native Hawaiian, is for annexation earnestly. 
The other large Hawaiian congregation and church in Honolulu has a 
favorite pastor, born here of American parentage, whose quiet influ- 
ence is in the same direction. The native newspaper of much the 
largest circulation in the islands advocates annexation, stands by the 
Provisional Government, and is losing none of its circulation. The 
main part of the opponents of annexation are the lower class of natives, 
led by unscrupulous foreigners, of little property, mostly from Califor- 
nia, Australia, and Canada, who wish to maintain the Hawiian mon- 
archy and its corruptions for their own unworthy purposes, and who 
think their opportunities for power and spoliation will be gone if an- 
nexation becomes a fact. 

The Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe, and this is the golden hour for 
the United States to pluck it. If annexation does not take place 
promptly, or is held in doubt and suspense for six or ten months, there 
certainly will be here a revulsion to despair, and these people, by their 
necessities, might be forced toward becoming a British colony, for the 
English here of the monarchical type would then avail themselves of 
their opportunity and stir up all possible opposition to annexation. 
The wealthiest Englishman of these islands has to-day called at this 
legation, and no man in Hawaii is more earnest for annexation. His 
two sons, large business men, are with him in this regard, and thenext 
wealthy old British resident, a Scotchman by birth, is with the first 
man named for annexation. I can not otherwise than urge prompt 
action at Washington. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



225 



Ko. 20. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

No. 84.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 1, 1893. (Received February 14, 5 p. in.) 
Sir: "To-day the undersigned and Oapt. Wiltse of the Boston are 
compelled to assume a grave responsibility. The inclosed copies of 
official notes will explain the reasons which have led to this action on 
our part. 

I have time before the departure of the mail steamer only to state 
briefly the additional reasons which caused us to assume temporary 
protectorate of these islands. The Provisional Government must have 
time to organize a new police and to discipline a small military force. 
When the monarchy died by its own hand, there was no military force 
in the islands but the royal guard of about 75 natives, not in effective 
force equal to 20 American soldiers. These were promptly discharged 
by the Provisional Government, except 10 left as the guard of the 
fallen Queen at her house. 

The white men here, as well as the natives, have not been much accus- 
tomed to the use of arms. There are scarcely any men familiar with 
military discipline. -Companies are now being organized and drilled. 
They must have a few weeks for drill. Only a small force of a few hun- 
dred will be required, but these must be disciplined men. So far the 
Provisional Government has been sustained by the uprising and union 
of the business men and best citizens. Bankers, merchants, clerks, pro- 
fessional men, respectable mechanics have stood manfully by the new 
Government and kept guard by night. This kind of defense must give 
place to a small, reliable military force. Time is the necessity of the 
new Government. There are 40,000 Chinese and Japanese on the 
islands, and evil disposed persons might stir some of them to disorder. 
But the chief elements of evil are in Honolulu, where are the rene- 
gade whites at the head of the lottery and opium rings, and a consider- 
able number of hoodlum foreigners and the more vicious of the natives. 

Another important reason for our action is the possibility of the 
arrival here of a British war vessel, and that the English minister here, 
thus aided, might try to press unduly the Provisional Government. 
With the islands under our protection we think the English minister 
will not attempt to insist that his Government has the right to inter- 
fere while our flag is over the Government building. This is all I have 
time to write before the departure of the mail. We shall continue to 
maintain our present position with great caution and firmness until we 
hear from the President through the Secretary of Scate. As a neces- 
sary precaution against all contingencies, I advise that Admiral Sker- 
rett be promptly sent here with one or two ships in addition to the 
Boston. 

I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 

(One or two of the preceding numbers of the dispatches by this mail 
were written prior to this date, but they were dated February 1 be- 
cause this is the day of the steamer's departure.) 

H. Ex. 48—15 



226 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



[In closure %] 

Mr. Stevens to Capt. Wiltse. 

United States Legation, 
Honolulu, February 1, 1893. 

SlR : The Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands having duly and offi- 
cially expressed, to the undersigned, the fear that said Government may be unable 
to protect life and property and to prevent civil disorder in Honolulu, the capital of 
said Hawaiian Islands, request that the flag of the United States may be raised for 
the protection of the Hawaiian Islands, and to that end confer on the United States, 
through the undersigned, freedom of occupation of the public buildings of tbe Ha- 
waiian Government and the soil of the Ha waiian Islands, so far as may be necessary 
for the exercise of such protection, but not interfering with the administration of the 
public affairs by said provisional government. 

I hereby ask you to comply with the terms and spirit of the request of the Hawai- 
ian Provisional Government, and to that end to use all the force at your command, in 
the exercise of your best judgment and discretion, you and myself awaiting instruc- 
tions from the United States Government at Washington. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. 
Capt. G. C. Wiltse, 

Commander of the U. S. Ship Boston. 



[Inclosure 2.] 

The Hawaiian Provisional Government to Mr. Stevens, 

Sir: Believing that we are unable to satisfactorily protect life and property, and 
to prevent civil disorders in Honolulu and throughout the Hawaiian Islands, we 
hereby, in obedience to the instructions of the advisory council, pray that you will 
raise the flag of the United States for the protection of the Hawaiian Islands for the 
time being, and to that end we hereby confer upon the Government of the United 
States, through you, freedom of occupation of the public buildings of this Govern- 
ment, and of the soil of this country, so far as may be necessary for the exercise of 
such protection, but not interfering with the administration of public affairs by 
this Government. 

We have, etc., 

Sanford B. Dole, 
President of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, 

and Minister of Foreign Affairs. 
J. A. King, 

Minister of Interior. 
P. C. Jones, 

Minister of Finance. 
William O. Smith, 

Attorney- General. 

His Excellency John L. Stevens, 

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. 



No. 21. 

Constitution of the Uaicaiian Islands, signed by His Majesty Kalalcaua, 
July 6 , and promulgated July 7, 1887, 

CONSTITUTION. 

Whereas the constitution of this Kingdom heretofore in force con- 
tains many provisions subversive of civil rights and incompatible with 
enlightened constitutional government; 

And whereas it has become imperative, in order to restore order and 
tranquility and the confidence necessary to a, further maintenance 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



227 



of the present government, that a new constitution should be at once 
promulgated : 

Now, therefore, I, Kalakaua, King of the Hawaiian Islands, in my 
capacity as Sovereign of this Kingdom, and as the representative of the 
people hereunto by them duly authorized and empowered, do annul 
and abrogate the constitution promulgated by Kamehameha the Fifth, 
on the 20th day of August, A. D. 1864, and do proclaim and promul- 
gate this constitution. 

Article 1 . God hath endowed all men with certain inalienable rights, 
among which are life, liberty, and the right of acquiring, possessing, 
and protecting property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and hap- 
piness. 

Article 2. All men are free to worship God according to the dic- 
tates of their own consciences; but this sacred privilege hereby secured 
shall not be so construed as to justify acts of licentiousness, or practices 
inconsistent with the peace or safety of the Kingdom. 

Article 3. All men may freely speak, write, and publish their sen- 
timents on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right, 
and no law shall be enacted to restrain the liberty of speech or of • the 
press. 

Article 4. All men shall have the right, in an orderly and peace- 
able manner, to assemble, without arms, to consult upon the common 
good, and to petition the King or legislature for redress of grievances. 

Article 5. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus belongs to all 
men, and shall not be suspended unless by the King when, in cases of 
rebellion or invasion, the public safety shall require its suspension. 

Article 6. No person shall be subject to punishment for any of- 
fense except on due and legal conviction thereof in a court having ju- 
risdiction of the case. 

Article 7. No person shall be held to answer for any crime or of- 
fense (except in cases of impeachment or for offenses within the juris- 
diction of a police or district justice, or in summary proceedings for 
contempt) unless upon indictment, fully and plainly describing such 
crime or offense, and shall have the right to meet the witnesses who 
are produced against him face to face ; to produce witnesses and proofs 
in his own favor ; and by himself or his counsel, at his election, to ex- 
amine tlie witnesses produced by himself, and cross-examine those 
produced against him, and to be fully heard in his own defence. In 
all cases in which the right of trial by jury has been heretofore used 
it shall be held inviolable forever, except in actions of debt or as- 
sumpsit in which the amount claimed is less than fifty dollars. 

Article 8. No person shall be required to answer again for an 
offense of which he has been duly convicted or of which he has been 
duly acquitted. 

Article 9. No person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be 
a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property 
without due process of law. 

Article 10. No person shall sit as a judge or juror in any case in 
which his relative, by affinity, or by consanguinity within the third de- 
gree, is interested, either as plaintiff or defendant, or in the issue of 
which the said judge or juror may have, either directly or through such 
relative, any pecuniary interest. 

Article 11. Involuntary servitude, except for crime, is forever pro- 
hibited in this Kingdom. Whenever a slave shall enter Hawaiian ter- 
ritory he shall be free. 

Article 12, Every person has the right to be secure from all un- 



228 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



reasonable searches and seizures of his person, his house, his papers, 
and effects ; and no warrants shall issue except on probable cause, 
supported by oath or affirmation, and describing the place to be searched, 
and the persons or things to be seized. 

Article 13. The Government is conducted for the common good, 
and not for the profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, 
or class of men. 

Article 14. Each member of society has a right to be protected in 
the enjoyment of his life, liberty, and property, according to law; and, 
therefore, he shall be obliged to contribute his proportional share to 
the expense of this protection, and to give his personal services, or an 
equivalent when necessary. Private property may be taken for public 
use, but only upon due process of law and just compensation. - 

Article 15. No subsidy, duty, or tax, of any description, shall be 
established or levied without the consent of the legislature; nor shall 
any money be drawn from the public treasury without such consent, 
except when, between the sessions of the legislature, the emergencies 
of war, invasion, rebellion, pestilence, or other public disaster shall 
arise, and then not without the concurrence of all the cabinet, and of a 
majority of the whole privy council; and the minister of finance shall 
render a detailed account of such expenditure to the legislature. 

Article 16. No retrospective laws shall ever be enacted. 
- Article 17. The military shall always be subject to the laws of the 
land; and no soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house 
without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner 
to be prescribed by the legislature. 

Article 18. Every elector shall be privileged from arrest on elec- 
tion days, during his attendance at election, and in going to and re- 
turning therefrom, except in case of treason, felony, or breach of the 
peace. 

Article 19. No elector shall be so obliged to perform military duty 
on the day of election, as to prevent his voting, except in time of war 
or public danger. 

Article 20. The supreme power of the Kingdom, in its exercise, is 
divided into the executive, legislative, and judicial ; these shall 
always be preserved distinct, and no executive or judicial officer, or 
any contractor, or employee of the Government, or any person in the re- 
ceipt of salary or emolument from the Government, shall be eligible to 
election to the legislature of the Hawaiian Kingdom, or to hold the 
position of an elective member of the same. And no member of the 
legislature shall, during the time for which he is elected, be appointed 
to any civil office under the Government, except that of a member of 
the cabinet. 

Article 21. The Government of this Kingdom is that of a constitu- 
tional monarchy, under His Majesty Kalakaua, his heirs and successors. 

Article 22. The crown is hereby permanently confirmed to His Maj- 
esty Kalakaua, and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, and to 
their lawful descendants in a direct line; failing whom, the crown shall 
descend to Her Royal Highness the Princess Liliuokalani, and the 
heirs of her body lawfully begotten, and their lawful descendants in a 
direct line. The succession shall be to the senior male child, and to 
the heirs of his body; failing a male child, the succession shall be to 
the senior female child, and to the heirs of her body. In case there is 
no heir as above provided, the successor shall be the person whom the 
sovereign shall appoint, with the consent of the nobles, and publicly 
proclaim during the sovereign's life; but should there be no such ap- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



229 



pointinent and proclamation, and the throne shonld become vacant, 
then the cabinet, immediately after the occurring of such vacancy, shall 
cause a meeting of the legislature, who shall elect by ballot some native 
Alii of the Kingdom as successor to the throne; and the successor so 
elected shall become a new stirps for a royal family; and the succes- 
sion from the sovereign thus elected shall be regulated by the same 
law as the present royal family of Hawaii. 

Article 23. It shall not be lawful for any member of the royal 
family of Hawaii who may by law succeed to the throne, to contract 
marriage without the consent of the reigning sovereign. Every mar- 
riage so contracted shall be void, and the person so contracting a mar- 
riage, may, by the proclamation of the reigning sovereign, be declared 
to have forfeited his or her right to the throne; and after such procla- 
mation, the right of succession shall vest in the next heir as though 
such offender were dead. 

Article 24. His Majesty Kalakaua will, and his successor shall, 
take the following oath: I solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty- 
God, to maintain the constitution of the Kingdom whole and inviolate, 
and to govern in conformity therewith. 

Article 25. No person shall ever sit upon the throne who has 
been convicted of any infamous crime, or who is insane or an idiot. 

Article 26. The King is the commander-in-chief of the army and navy, 
and of all other military forces of the Kingdom, by sea and land ; but 
he shall never proclaim war without the consent of the legislature; 
and no military or naval force shall be organized except by the author- 
ity of the legislature. 

Article 27. The King, by and with the advice of his privy council, 
and with the consent of the cabinet, has the power to grant reprieves 
and pardons, after conviction, for all offenses, except in case of im- 
peachment. 

Article 28. The King convenes the legislature at the seat of Govern- 
ment, or at a different place, if that should become insecure from an 
enemy or any dangerous disorder, and prorogues the same; and in any 
great emergency he may, with the advice of the privy council, convene 
the legislature in extraordinary session. 

Article 29. The King has the power to make treaties. Treaties 
involving changes in the tariff, or in any law of the Kingdom, shall be 
referred for approval to the legislature. The King appoints public 
ministers, who shall be commissioned, accredited, and instructed 
agreeably to the usage and law of nations. 

Article 30. It is the King's prerogative to receive and acknowledge 
public ministers ; to inform the legislature by royal message, from time 
to time, of the state of the Kingdom ; and to recommend to its consid- 
eration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. 

Article 31. The person of the King is inviolable and sacred. 
His ministers are responsible. To the King and the cabinet belongs the 
executive power. All laws that have passed the legislature shall re- * 
quire his majesty's signature in order to their validity, except as pro- 
vided in Article 48. 

Article 32. Whenever, upon the decease of the reigning sovereign, 
the heir shall be less than eighteen years of age, the royal power shall 
be exercised by a regent'or council of regency, as hereinafter provided. 

Article 33. It shall be lawful for the King, at any time when he may 
be about to absent himself from the Kingdom, to appoint a regent or 
council of regency, who shall administer the Government in his name ; 
and likewise the King may, by his last will and testament, appoint a 



230 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



regent or council of regency to administer the Government during the 
minority of any heir to the throne; and should a sovereign decease, 
leaving a minor heir, and having made no last will and testament, the 
cabinet at the time of such decease shall be a council of regency, until 
the legislature, which shall be called immediately, be assembled: and 
the legislature, immediately that it is assembled, shall proceed to choose 
by ballot a regent or council of regency, who shall administer the 
Government in the name of the King, and exercise all the powers 
which are constitutionally vested in the King, until such heir shall 
have attained the age of eighteen years, which age is declared to be 
the legal majority of such sovereign. 

Article 34. The King is sovereign of all the chiefs and of all the 
people. 

Article 35. All titles of honor, orders, and other distinctions ema- 
nate from the King. 

Article 30. The King coins money and regulates the currency by 
law. 

Article 37. The king, in case of invasion or rebellion, can place 
the whole kingdom, or any part of it, under martial law. 

Article 38. The national ensign shall not be changed except by act 
of the legislature. 

Article 39. The King can not be sued or held to account in any 
court or tribunal of the Kingdom. 

Article 40. There shall continue to be a council of state for advis- 
ing the King in all matters for the good of the state wherein he may 
require its advice, which council shall be called the King's privy coun- 
cil of state, and the members thereof shall be appointed by the King, 
to hold office during his majesty's* pleasure, and which council shall 
have and exercise only such powers as are given to it by the constitu- 
tion. 

Article 41. The cabinet shall consist of the minister of foreign af- 
fairs, the minister of the interior, the minister of finance, and the at- 
torney-general, and they shall be his majesty's special advisers in the 
executive affairs of the Kingdom; and they shall be ex-officio members 
of his majesty's privy council of state. They shall be appointed and 
commissioned by the King, and shall be removed by him only upon a 
vote of want of confidence passed by a majority of all the elective mem- 
bers of the legislature or upon conviction of felony, and shall be sub- 
ject to impeachment. Xo act of the King shall have any effect unless 
it be countersigned by a member of the cabinet, who by that signature 
makes himself responsible. 

Article 42. Each member of the cabinet shall keep an office at the 
seat of Government, and shall be accountable for the conduct of his 
deputies and clerks. The cabinet holds seats ex-offieio in the legislature 
with the right to vote, except on a question of confidence in them. 

Article 43. The minister of finance shall present to the legislature 
in the name of the Government, on the first day of each biennial ses- 
sion, the financial budget, in the Hawaiian and English languages. 

Article 44. The legislative power of the Kingdom is vested in the 
King and the legislature, which shall consist of the nobles and repre- 
sentatives sitting together. 

Article 45. The legislative body shall be styled the legislature of 
Hawaiian Kingdom and shall assemble biennially in the month of Alay. 
The first regular session shall be held in the year of our Lord eighteen 
hundred and eighty-eight. 

Article 46. Every member of the legislature shall take the follow- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



231 



ingoath: T solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that I 
will faithfully support the constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom and 
conscientiously and impartially discharge my duties as a member of the 
legislature. 

Article 47. The legislature has full power and authority to amend 
the constitution as hereinafter provided ; andfrom time to time to make 
all manner of wholesome laws not repugnant to the constitution. 

Article 48. Every bill which shall have passed the legislature 
shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the King. If he approve, 
he shall sign it, arid it shall thereby become a law; but if not he shall 
return it, with his objections, to the legislature, which shall enter the 
objections at large on their journal and proceed to reconsider it. If 
after such reconsideration it shall be approved by a two thirds vote of 
all the elective members of the legislature it shall become a law. In 
all such cases the votes shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the 
names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered 
on the journal of the legislature. If any bill shall not be returned 
by the King within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have 
been presented to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as if he 
had signed it, unless the legislature by their adjournment prevent its 
return, in which case it shall not be a law. 

Article 49. The legislature shall be the judge of the qualifications 
of its own members, except as may hereafter be provided by law, and a 
majority shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller num- 
ber may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent 
members, in such manner and under such penalties as the legislature 
may provide. 

Article 50. The legislature shall choose its own officers and deter- 
mine the rules of its own proceedings. 

Article 51. The legislature shall have authority to punish by im- 
prisonment, not exceeding thirty days, every person not a member who 
shall be guilty of disrespect to the legislature by any disorderly or con- 
temptuous behavior in its presence; or who, during the time of its sit- 
ting, shall publish any false report of its proceedings, or insulting com- 
ments upon the same; or who shall threaten harm to the body or estate 
of any of its members for anything said or done in the legislature; or 
Avho shall assault any of them therefor, or who shall assault or arrest 
any witness, or other person ordered to attend the legislature, on his 
waygoing or returning; or who shall rescue any per son arrested by 
order of the legislature. 

Article 52. The legislature may punish its own members for dis- 
orderly behavior. 

Article 53. The legislature shall keep a journal of its proceedings; 
and the yeas and nays of the members, on any question, shall, at the 
desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal. 

Article 54. The members of the legislature shall, in all cases, ex- 
cept treason, felony, or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest 
during their attendance at the sessions of the legislature and in going 
to and returning from the same; provided such privilege as to going 
and returning shall not cover a period of over twenty days; and they 
shall not be held to answer for any speech or debate made in the legis- 
lature, in any court or place whatsoever. 

Article 55. The representatives shall receive for their services a 
compensation to be determined by law, and paid out of the public treas- 
ury, but no increase of compensation shall take effect during the bien- 
nial term in which it shall have been made: and no law shall be passed 



232 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



increasing the compensation of representatives beyond the sum of two 
hundred and fifty dollars each for each biennial term. 

Article 50. A noble shall be a subject of the Kingdom, who shall 
have attained the age of twenty-five years and resided in the Kingdom 
three years, and shall be the owner of taxable property in this Kingdom 
of the value of three thousand dollars over and above all encumbrances, 
or in receipt of an income of not less than six hundred dollars per annum. 

Article 57. The nobles shall be a court with full and sole authority 
to hear and determine all impeachments made by the representatives, 
as the grand inquest to the Kingdom, against any officers of the King- 
dom, for misconduct or maladministration in their offices; but previous 
to the trial of every impeachment the nobles shall respectfully be sworn 
truly and impartially to try and determine the charge in question ac- 
cording to evidence and law. Their judgment, however, shall not ex- 
tend further than to removal from office and disqualification to hold or 
enjoy any place of honor, trust, or profit under this Government ; but 
the party so convicted shall be, nevertheless, liable to indictment, trial, 
judgment, and punishment according to the laws of the land. 

Article 58. Twenty-four nobles shall be elected as follows: Six 
from the island of Hawaii; six from the islands of Maui, Molokai, and 
Lanai; nine from the island of Oahu ; and three from the islands of 
Kauai and Xiihau. At the first election held under this constitution 
the nobles shall be elected to serve until the general election to the 
legislature for the year of our Lord 1890. at which election, and there- 
after, the nobles shall be elected at the same time and places as the 
representatives. At the election for the year of our Lord 1890, one- 
third of the nobles from each of the divisions aforesaid shall be elected 
for two years, and one-third for four years, and one-third for six years, 
and the electors shall ballot for them for such terms, respectively; and 
at all subsequent general elections they shall be elected for six years. 
The nobles shall serve without pay. 

Article 59. Every male resident of the Hawaiian Islands, of 
Hawaiian. American, or European birth or descent, who shall have at- 
tained the age of twenty years, and shall have paid his taxes, and shall 
have caused his name to be entered on the list of voters for nobles for 
his district, shall be an elector of nobles, and shall be entitled to vote 
at any election of nobles : Provided — 

First. That he shall have resided in the country not less than three 
years, and in the district in which he offers to vote not less than three 
months immediately preceding the election at which he offers to vote. 

Second. That he shall own and be possessed, in his own right, of tax- 
able property in this country of the value of not less than three thousand 
dollars over and above all encumbrances, or shall have actually received 
an income of not less than six hundred dollars during the year next 
preceding his registration for such election. 

Third. That he shall be able to read and .comprehend an ordinary 
newspaper printed in either the Hawaiian, English, or some European 
language. 

Fourth. That he shall have taken an oath to support the constitution 
and laws, such oath to be administered by any person authorized to 
administer oaths, or by any inspector of elections: 

Provided, howi <:< r. That the requirements of a three years' residence 
and of ability to read and comprehend, an ordinary newspaper, printed 
either in the Hawaiian, English, or some European language, shall not 
apply to persons residing in the Kingdom at the time of the proinulga- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



233 



tion of this constitution, if they shall register and vote at the first elec- 
tion which shall be held under this constitution. 

Article 60. There shall be twenty-four representatives of the people 
elected biennially, except those first elected under this constitution, who 
shall serve until the general election for the year of our Lord 1890. 
The representation shall be based upon the principles of equality and 
shall be regulated and apportioned by the legislature according to the 
population, to be ascertained from time to time by the official census. 
But until such apportionment by the legislature, the apportionment 
now established by law shall remain in force, with the following ex- 
ceptions, namely, there shall be but two representatives for the dis- 
tricts of Hilo and Puna on the island of Hawaii, but one for the dis- 
tricts of Lahaina and Kaanapali on the island of Maui, and but one for 
the districts of Koolauloa and Waialua on the island of Oahu. 

Article 61. ^so person shall be eligible as a representative of the 
people unless he be a male subject of the Kingdom who shall have ar- 
rived at the full age of twenty-one years: who stall know how to read 
and write either the Hawaiian. English, or some European language; 
who shall understand accounts; who shall have been domiciled in the 
Kingdom for at least three years, the last of which shall be the year 
immediately preceding his election; and who shall own real estate 
within the Kingdom of a clear value over and above all encumbrances 
of at least five hundred dollars; or who shall have an annual income 
of at least two hundred and fifty dollars, derived frcmi any property or 
some lawful employment. 

Article 62. Every male resident of the Kingdom of Hawaiian, 
American, or European birth or descent, who shall have taken an oath 
to support the constitution and laws in the manner provided for elect- 
ors of nobles : who shall have paid his taxes; who shall have attained 
the age of twenty years, and shall have been domiciled in the Kingdom 
for one year immediately preceding the election, and shall know how to 
read and write either the Hawaiian, English, or some European lan- 
guage (if born since the year 1810), and shall have caused his name to 
be entered on the list of voters of his district as may be provided by 
law, shall be entitled to one vote for the representative or representa- 
tives of that district, provided, however, that the requirements of being 
domiciled in the Kingdom for one year immediately preceding the elec- 
tion, and of knowing how to read and write, either the Hawaiian, 
English, or some European language, shall not apply to persons residing 
in this Kingdom at the time of the promulgation of this constitution, 
if they shall register and vote at the first election which shall be held 
under this constitution. 

Article 63. ao person shall sit as a noble or representative in the 
legislature unless elected under, and in conformity with, the provisions 
of this constitution. The property or income qualification of represent- 
atives, of nobles, and of electors of nobles, may be increased by law; 
and a property or income qualification of electors of representatives 
may be created and altered by law. 

Article 64. The judicial power of the Kingdom shall be vested in 
one supreme court and in such inferior courts as the legislature may, 
from time to time, establish. 

Article 65. The supreme court shall consist of a chief justice, 
and not less than two associate justices, any of whom may hold the 
court. The justices of the supreme court shall hold their offices dur- 
ing good behavior, subject to removal upon impeachment, and shall, at 
stated times, receive for their services a compensation which shall not 
be diminished during their continuance in office: Provided, however. 



334 



HAWAIIAN C3LANDS. 



That any judge of the supreme court or any other court of record 
may be removed from office, on a resolution passed by two-thirds of 
all the members of the legislature, for good cause shown to the satis- 
faction of the King. The judge against whom the legislature may be 
about to proceed shall receive notice thereof, accompanied by a copy 
of the causes alleged for his removal, at least ten days before the day 
on which the legislature shall act thereon. He shall be heard before 
the legislature. 

Aeticle GO. The judicial power shall be divided among the supreme 
court and the several inferior courts of the Kingdom in such manner 
as the legislature may from time to time prescribe, and the tenure of 
office in the inferior courts of the Kingdom shall be such as may be de- 
fined by the law creating them. 

Aeticle 07. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and 
equity arising under the constitution and laws of this Kingdom and 
treaties made, or which shall be made under their authority, to all cases 
effecting public ministers and consuls, and to all cases of admiralty and 
in aritime jurisdiction . 

Aeticle 08. The chief justice of the supreme court shall be the 
chancellor of the Kingdom ; he shall be ex officio president of the 
nobles in all cases of impeachment, unless when impeached himself, 
and shall exercise such jurisdiction in equity or other cases as the law 
may confer upon bim, his decisions being subject, however, to the re- 
vision of the supreme court on appeal. Should the chief justice ever 
be impeached, some person specially commissioned by the King shall 
be president of the court of impeachment during such trial. 

Aeticle 09. The decisions of the supreme court, when made by a 
majority of the justices thereof, shall be final and conclusive upon all 
parties. 

Aeticle 70. The King, his cabinet, and the legislature shall have 
authority to require the opinions of the justices of the supreme court, 
upon important questions of law and upon solemn occasions. 

Aeticle 71. The King appoints the justices of the supreme court 
and all other judges of courts of record. Their salaries are fixed by 
law. 

Aeticle 72. Xo judge or magistrate shall sit alone on an appeal or 
new trial in any case on Avliich he may have given a previous judg- 
ment. 

Aetlcle 73. The following persons shall not be permitted to reg- 
ister for voting, to vote, or to hold office under any department of the 
Government, or to sit in the legislature, namely: Any person who is 
insane or an idiot, or any person who shall have been convicted of any 
of the following-named offenses, viz: Arson, barratry, bribery, bur- 
glary, counterfeiting, embezzlement, felonious branding of cattle, 
forgery, gross cheat, incest, kidnaping, larceny, malicious burning, 
manslaughter in the first degree, murder, perjury, rape, robbery, 
sodomy, treason, subornation of perjury, and malfeasance in office, 
unless he shall have been pardoned by the King and restored to his 
civil rights, and by the express terms of his pardon declared to be 
eligible to offices of trust, honor, and profit. 

Aeticle 74. Xo officer of this Government shall hold an office or 
receive any salary from any other Government or power whatever. 

Aeticle 75. The legislature votes the appropriations biennially, 
after due consideration of the revenue and expenditure for the two 
preceding years and the estimates of the revenue and expenditure of 
the two succeeding years, which shall be submitted to them by the 
minister of finance. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



235 



An T i OLE 76. The enacting style in making- and passing all acts and 
laws shall be, "Be it enacted by the King and the legislature of the 
Hawaiian Kingdom." 

Article 77. To avoid improper influences which may result from 
intermixing in one and the same act such things as have no proper 
relation to each other, every law shall embrace but one object, and that 
shall be expressed in its title. 

Article 78. Wherever by this constitution any act is to be done 
or performed by the King or the Sovereign, it shall, unless otherwise 
expressed, mean that such act shall be done and performed by the 
Sovereign by and with the advice and consent of the cabinet. 

Article 79. All laws now in force in this Kingdom shall continue 
and remain in full effect until altered or repealed by the legislature, 
such parts only excepted as are repugnant to this constitution. All 
laws heretofore enacted, or that may hereafter be enacted, which are 
contrary to this constitution, shall be null and void. 

Article 80. The cabinet shall have power to make and publish all 
necessary rules and regulations for the holding of any election or elec- 
tions under this constitution prior to the passage by the legislature 
of appropriate laws for such purpose, and to provide for adminis- 
tering to officials, subjects, and residents the oath to support this con- 
stitution. The first election hereunder shall be held within ninety days 
after the promulgation of this constitution, and the legislature then 
elected may be convened at Honolulu upon the call of the cabinet 
council, in extraordinary session, at such time as the cabinet council 
may deem necessary, thirty days' notice thereof being previously given. : 

Article 81. This constitution shall be in force from the 7th day of 
July, A. D. 1887, but that there may be no failure of justice or incon- 
venience to the Kingdom from any change, all officers of this Kingdom 
at the time this constitution shall take effect shall have, hold, and ex- 
ercise all the power to them granted. Such officers shall take an oath 
to support this constitution within sixty days after the promulgation 
thereof. 

Article 82. Any amendment or amendments to this constitution 
may be proposed in the legislature, and if the same shall be agreed to 
by a majority of the members thereof, such proposed amendment or 
amendments shall be entered on its journal, with the yeas and nays 
taken thereon, and referred to the next legislature : which proposed 
amendment or amendments shall be published for three months pre- 
vious to the next election of representatives and nobles: and if in the 
next legislature such proposed amendment or amendments shall be 
agreed to by two-thirds of all the members of the legislature, such 
amendment or amendments shall become part of the constitution of 
this Kingdom. 

Kalaxaua Eex. 

By the King: 

TV. L. Green, 

Minister of Finance. 

Honolulu, Oahu, ss: 

I, Kalakaua, King of the Hawaiian Islands, in the presence of Al- 
mighty God, do solemnly swear to maintain this constitution whole and 
inviolate, and to govern in conformity therewith. 

Kalaraua Eex. 
Subscribed and sworn to before me this sixth dav of July, A. D. 1887. 

A. F. JUDD, 

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Chancellor of the Kingdom. 



23 G HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

(Xo. 22.) 

Statistical tabulated statements pertaining to the Hawaiian Islands. 

A. 



Census of Hawaii. 





1878. 


1884. 


1890. 


Regis- 
tered 

voters. 
1890. 


Males. 




Total. 


Males, 


Females. 


Total. 


Males. 


Females. 


Total. 








44. OSS 






40. 014 
4. 218 






34. 436 
6, 186 

7,495 
1.928 
1,344 
1,034 
70 
S. 602 
227 
15. 301 
12, 360 
588 
419 


8,777 
777 

116 

637 
505 
382 

22 
2.091 

78 
















Hawaiian- 
born for- 




; 






Americans... 
British 






1,276 

~81 

436 
















1. 282 












1, 600 
192 
9. 377 
















































Chinese 






5,916 












Japanese 










116 








Polynesians . 














42 
136 


All' others. .. 
















Total . . 
















34, 103 


23, 882 


57, 985 


51. 529 


29. 039 


SO. 578 


58, 714 


31.276 


89, 990 


13, 593 



Tlie estimated population of Hawaii, on July 1, 1892, according to the Hawaiian 
Annual, was 96,075. 



B. 

HAWAIIAN REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. 



Statement of assessments, real and personal property. 



Tears. 


Real. 


Personal. 


Total. 


1882 


$14. 978. 547 
15, 734. 564 

15, 602, 214 

16. 730. 085 

17. 702. 9 :9 

18, 343. 95S 


$16, 230. 790 

18. 502. 132 

19. 352. 823 
16. 477, 968 
17. 213, 527 
17, 000, 240 


$31,209. 337 
34. 330. 132 

34, 93>5. 047 
33.2 '8.053 
34, 910. 466 

35, 344. 198 


1884 


1886 


1888 


1889 


1890 





The value of real and personal property in the Kingdom for 1891 is estimated at 
about $39,000,000. 

The estimated value of Government property of all kinds, including cash in 
treasury, is $6,189,303. (Consul-General Severance, Con. Repts. Xo. 142, p. 413.) 

Note by Commissioners. — To this amount should be added the value of the 
Crown lands, which, at a moderate estimate, are worth $2,500,000. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
C. 

SCHOOL STATISTICS. 

Hawaiian school attendance. 



237 



! 

Year. 1 So. of 
! schools. 


Attendance. 


Boys. 


Girls. 


Total. 




4, 976 
5; 532 

5, 910 


3, 864 
4, 474 
4, 802 


8, 770 
10, 006 
10, 712 



Classification of schools. 



Classification. 



1890. 



Government native schools : 

Schools 

Teachers 

Pupils ■ 

Government English schools 

Schools — . 

Teachers 

Pupils 

Independent schools : 

Schools 

Teachers ■ 

Pupils • 



1892. 



36 


28 


37 


29 


768 


552 


94 


99 


193 


221 


6,575 


7, 148 


48 


41 


136 


142 


2, 663 


3, 012 



Year. 


Xo. of 
schools. 


Pupils at- 1 School 
tending, revenue. 


Total pop- 
ulation. 




189 
189 
178 
178 
178 
178 


8,770 i $203,020 
8, 770 1 20 i. 022 
10,000 i 391,438 
10,006 391,428 
10,000 \ 326,920 
10,000 326,920 












1890 


89. 990 
95, 805 
*96, 075 


1891 


1892 





Estimated on July 1, Hawaiian Annual. 
Nationality of pupils. 



Nationality. 



1880. ! 1888. 



1S90. 



1892. 



Hawaiians 

Half-caste Hawaiians. 

Americans 

English 

Germans 

Portuguese 

Norwegians 

Chinese 

South Sea Islanders . . . 

Japanese 

Other foreigners 



5, 657 
955 
247 
90 
37 
55 



85 



3S 



Total 



7, 164 



5. 320 
1, 247 
253 
163 
170 
1,335 
40 
147 
16 
54 
19 



5 599 
1,573 
259 
139 
199 
1,813 
58 
262 
40 
39 
25 



, 770 10, 006 



353 
866 
371 
131 
191 
253 
71 
353 
36 
60 
21 



10, 712 



School attendance is compulsory. 



238 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Nationality of school teachers, 1892. 



Nationality. 


Males. 


Females. 


Total. 




13 
38 


20 
28 
39 
19 
2 


79 
41 
77 
39 






English 


20 
2 




4 




2 


8 


10 






Total 


134 


116 


250 





D. 



HAWAIIAN PUBLIC-DEBT STATEMENT. 



[From the Biennial Eeport of the Minister of Finance to the Legislative Asseinhly of 1892.] 



On the 31st of March, 1890, the bonded debt was $1, 934, 000. 00 

Of this there was paid during the period 7,800.00 



1, 926, 200. 00 

Borrowed under authority of acts : 

Augusts, 1888 $50,000 

October 24, 1890 95,000 

Postal Saviugs Bank account 29, 100 

October 15, 1886 213.700 

387, 800. 00 



Bonded debt March 31, 1892 2, 314, 000. 00 

Amount dne depositors in Postal Savings Bank March 
31, 1892, for which coupon 6 per cent bonds are on de- 
posit in the Treasury by the Postmaster-General 903, 161. 13 



Total bonded debt March 31, 1892 3, 217, 161. 13 



Detailed statement of bonded debt March 31, 1892. 



Act of August 5, 1882 : 

Stock A, 6 per cent $37, 000. 00 

Stock E, 6 per cent 14,500.00 

Stock O, 6 per cent 3, 300. 00 

Stock U, 6 per cent 25, 000. 00 

79, 800. 00 

[May be redeemed in 5 years, must be redeemed in 
25 years.3 
Act of October 15. 1886 : 

Loan in London 980, 000. 00 

Stock A. 6 per cent 373, 000. 00 

Stock E, 6 per cent 142,000.00 

Stock U, 6 per cent 505, 000. 00 

2,000,000.00 

[May be redeemed in 10 years, must be redeemed in 
25 years.] 
Act of October 15, 1888 : 

Stock U, 6 per cent 50, 000. 00 

Act of October 15, 1890: 

Stock A, 6 per cent 95, 000. 00 

[May be redeemed in 5 years; must be redeemed in 
10 years.] 
Postal Savings Bank account: 

Stock A, 5 per cent $18, 000. 00 

Stock E, 5 per cent 9, 000. 00 

Stock O, 5 per cent 2, 100. 00 



[May be redeemed in 5 years; must be redeemed in 
20 years.] 



29, 100. 00 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 239 

Act of September 27, 1876 : 

Stock A, 7 per cent $1, 000. 00 

Stock E. 7 per cent 500.00 

$1 500. 00 



[Payable at time specified on face, to be not later than 
20 years.] 
Act of June 22, 1868 : 

Stock U, 9 per cent : 

Stock E, 9 per cent 

Stock O, 9 per cent - 

[Stock U falls due during current biennial period ; no 
dates as to balance,but the amount is inconsiderable.] 



Board of education: 

Stock A, 12 per cent 15, 000. 00 

Stock E, 12 per cent 500. 00 

Stock I, 12 per cent , 400. 00 

Stock O, 12 per cent 200. 00 

Stock U, 12 per cent 30, 000. 00 

46, 100. 00 



2, 314, 000. 00 

Due Postal Savings Bank depositors 903, 161. 13 



3, 217, 161. 13 

[Board of education : Certain lands were originally set apart by the Hawaiian 
Government for tbe use of the board of education. These lands were afterward 
sold, and the amount realized ($40,000) was, by act of the legislature, paid into the 
public treasury and these bonds issued to the board of education. They may be 
canceled at any time.] 

[Postal savings bank: About $200,000 to $300,000 have been withdrawn since tbe 
date of the minister's report, about one-half of which has been paid from the gen- 
eral fund in the treasury, and the balance obtained by loans secured by treasury 
notes of the Hawaiian Government, authorized by an act of August 30 ; 1892, pay- 
able in from three to eighteen mouths, at 6 per cent.] 

[The foregoing bonds are all payable in United States gold or its equivalent.] 

Note to Hawaiian Debt Statement — The matter bracketed [ ] was supplied 
by the Hawaiian commission. 



10, 000. 00 
2. 000. 00 
' 500. 00 



E. 

SUGAR ESTATES. 

[Consul-General Severance, March 22, 1892. Consular reports, !No. 142, p. 413.] 

The total value of plantations, as taken from the Planter's Monthly, is estimated 
at $32,347,690, owned as follows: By Americans, $24,735,610, or 74.17 per cent; by 
British, $6,038,130, or 18.11 per cent; by Germans, $2,008,600, or 6.02 per cent; by 
Hawaiians, $266,250, or 0.80 per cent; other nationalities, $299,100, or 0.90 per cent. 

The average monthly wages of employe's in January, 1890, were as follows: Con- 
tract laborers, $17.74; skilled laborers, $63.13. 

The estimated area of land now under cane cultivation, including three new 
plantations of 3,700 acres, is 67,849 acres, from which the sugar exports reached 2 
tons per acre, or 29^,083,580 pounds. 

Owing to the present low prices of sugar, the value of the crops will decrease 
from the year 1890. while the quantity of sugar exceeds that produced in 1890 by 
16,000 tons. 



240 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



F. 

Hawaiian internal taxes for biennial periods, 1882-1891. 



[Compiled, for the Hawaiian Annual, from finance and board of education reports.] 



Biennial periods. 


Real estate. 


Personal 
property. 


Pole. 


Horses. 


Mules. | Dogs. 


1882 


$187. 929- 
223, 100 
2*7, 195 
252. 362 
330, 390 

\ 358, 745 


$208, 096 
254, 286 
262, 307 
299, 974 
329, 908 

+ 341,225 


$45. 998 
52, 964 
61,745 
63,115 
69, 116 
78, 064 


$42, 819 
24, 975 
(t) 
(t) 
(t) 
(t) 


(*) 

$1, 941 
3,303 
6, 279 
3, 063 
4, 156 


$13, 996 
13. 924 

13, 315 
11,985 

14, ioo 

13, 660 


1884 


1886 


1S88 


1890 


1891 , : 




Biennial periods. 


Carriages. 


Seamen. 


Roads. 

$90, 041 
103, 054 
118.256 
120,872 
132, 2S5 
152, 137 


School. 


Total: 




$7,125 
8, 759 

10. 635 

11. 835 
13; 940 
14,62S 


$642 
402 
114 


$87, 322 
100, 278 
115, 298 
119, 565 
131,160 
151, 906 


$683. 957 
780, 674 
812, 167 
885. P87 
1, 032. 963 
1, 114, 521 


1884 




1888 


1890 




1891 









*Insurance. \ Included in personal property after 1884. J Corrected by the commissioners. 

Tax per capita, annual. 

1882 J $5.29 

1884 5. 07 

1886 4.67 

1888 5.71 

1890 : 6.23 

1891 , 5. 85 



a. 



Hawaiian revenue and expenditures for biennial periods, 1878-1880 to 1890-1892. 





1878-1880. 


1880-1882. 


1882-1884. 


1S84-1886. 


1S86-1S88. 


1888-1890. 


Estimated. 
1890-1892. 


REVENUE. 

Custom-bouse 

Internal commerce 

Internal taxes 

Pines, fees, etc 

Government realization 
and receipts of bureaus . . 
Government stocks 


$582, 846 
122, 946 
465, 252 
190, 265 

318, 527 
23, 900 


$719, 245 
141, 744 
556. 615 
219, 069 

393, 5S6 


$944. 638 
178, 149 
680, 397 
233, 710 

374, 291 
668, 900 


$986, 417 
194,174 
696. 869 
96, 490 

684, 749 


$1, 204, 365 
226, 842 
760, 422 
149, 483 

513, 742 


$1,082,766 
188, 642 
901,803 
608, 316 

33, 623 


$1, 355, 744 
196, 857 
963, 496 
458, 623 

266, 600 
387, 800 
274, 761 
13, 000 


Parm loans 






1,811,800 
319, 932 


34, 500 
780, 526 


















12, 000 


12, 000 


EXPENDITURES. 

Permanent settlements 

Legislature and privv coun- 
cil '- 

Judiciary department 

Department of war 














1.703,730 


2. 070, 259 

' 


3. 092. 085 


3,010, 655 


4, 812, 576 


3, 632, 196 


3, 916, S81 


65, 500 

15, 075 

16, 523 
79, 667 
67, 993 

36, 850 
656, 810 
260, 057 

123, 664 

79, 605 


1 00, 000 
19, 512 

19, 338 
92, 874 


148.500 
20, 347 

24, 942 
115, 892 


127,931 
14, 028 

31, 455 
129, 057 


128, 925 
8, 967 

60, 284 
154, 566 


76, 800 

4, 885 

22, 767 
175, 979 


69, 710 
4, 685 

34, 694 
177, 251 


Department of foreign af- 
fairs 

Department of the interior. 

Department of finance 

Department of attorney- . 

Bureau of public instruc- 

Board of health 


129, 353 
1. 204, 703 
299, 436 

163, 527 

84, 249 


252.611 
1, 824, 795" 
319. 062 

266, 730 

91,735 


222, 678 
1, 162. 126 
566, 569 

279, 872 

131, 693 
241,170 
*76, 821 


257, 996 
1, 528, 260 
727, 264 

279, 819 

165. 913 
217. 907 
11,152, 338 


156, 445 
779, 111 
563, 458 

259, 237 

197, 610 
316, 664 
155, 784 
15, 494 


181, 400 
1, 378, 885 
695, 398 

391, 592 

280, 269 
329, 815 
622, 292 


Contingent 


93, 973 


169, 608 


151, 742 


Total 














1,495,607 


2, 2S2, 596 


3, 216, 406 


3, 003, 700 


4, 712, 2S5 


2, 671, 430 


4, 165, 891 



'Indemnity account for sundry expenses, tlncluding recall and cancellation of bonds, $625,000. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 241 
H. 



Receipts, expenditures, and public debt of Hawaii. 



Tears. 


Kevenue. 


Expendi- 
tures. 


Cash bal- 
ance in 
treasury. 


Public 
debt. 




$1, 703, 737 

2, 070, 060 

3, 092, 085 
3.010. 655 

4, 812. 576 
3, 632,197 
4, 408, 891 


$1, 495, 697 

2, 282, 599 

3, 216, 406 
3. 003. 700 
4,712,285 

3, 250,510 

4, 095, 891 


$338, 880 
126, 541 
2, 220 
9, 175 
109, 466 
491, 152 
*150, 000 


$388, 900 
299. 200 
898, 800 
1, 065, 600 

1, 936, 500 

2, 599, 502 

3, 217, 161 


18S2 


1881 


1883 


188* 


1890 


1892 





* Estimated by the Commissioners. 



H. Ex. 48 16 



24'2 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
I. 

IMPORTS BY ARTICLES. 



Statement showing the imports, in detail, info Hawaii during the years ending with 1S91. 
[From Hawaiian Statistical Eeport.] 



Articles. 



1553. 



JSSo. 



1586. 



188' 



1888. 



1889. 



189a 



1891. 



Ale. porter, beer, 
and cider 

An i i a als and b irds 

Bnilding materi- 
als 

Clothing, hats, 
and boots 

Coal and coke 

Crockery adn 
glassware 

Drugs and drug- 
gists' wares . T. . 

Dry goods : 

* Cottons 

Linens 

Silks 

Woolens ...... 

Mixed 

Fancy jioods. mil- 
linery, etc 

Fertilizers 

Fish, diy and 
salted .1 

Flour 

Fruits, fresh 

Furniture 

Grain and seed . . . 

Groceries and pro- 
visions 

Guns and gun ma- 
terial 

Gunpowder, blast- 
ing, etc 

Hardware, tools, 
implements, etc. 

Iron, steel, etc . . . 

Jewelry, plate, 
clocks, etc 

Leather 

Lumber 

Machinery 

Matches.* 

Musical instru- 
ments 

Naval stores 

Oils, including 
kerosene 

Paints, paint oil, 
etc 

Perfumery and 
toilet article s . . 

Railroad material . 

Saddlery, car- 
riages, and ma- 
terial 

Shooks. bags, etc . 

Spirits 

Stationery and 
books 

Tea 

Tinware 

Tobacco, cigars, 
etc 

Wines, light 



$68; 1S3 
14-. 57 I 



153. 104 
427. 255 



£63. 061 
56. 746 



SSI. 371 
101.426 



$75. 984 .. . 
74. 024 . . . 



?77. 442 

69. 98G 



$106, 679 
153. 935 



$98, 264 
119. 494 



56.301' 103.951 116.215 100.466 174.763 18& 591 



47. 043 

48, 762 

282. 415 
20, 392 
51.496 

1 19, 472 
38. 129 

131,712 



167. 656 
9. 315 
110. 808 
190, 820 

530, 817 

13, 739 

7, 100 



347. 416 
62. 035 

. 

80. 917 
51. 765 
344 169 
296 102 
7,495 

17. 152 
80. 2S1 

124. 535 

31.893 

22. 205 
77. 905 



268. 109 
71. 576 

20,458 

35. 917 

ISO. 430 
11.775 
26. 232 
4S. 078 
16. 314 

.-7. 467 
28. 140 

70. 977 
144. 35S 
13. 097 

60. 823 
200, 448 

398. 632 

10. 003 

3,862, 

168. 566 

36. 316 

22. 133 
41. 346 
196. 047 
187, 745 
11.053 

10. 113 

31. 738 

66. 827 

25,658 

11. 501 
14.446 



302, 064 
98. 417 

29. 392 
39. 498 

230. 4:!4 

30. 636 
33. 753 
60. 898 
25. 709 

108. 816 

33, 036 

97. 145 
150. 737 
iO, 955 
75. 341 
237. 154 

495. 447 

12. 523 

4, 075' 

24S. 472 
43. 636 

28.421' 
47. 2::5 
227. 825 
238, 592 
15:761 

5. 447 
45. 959 

12S. 702 

35. 245 

14.883 
16. 12S 



342. 947 
56. 557 



49. 540 
42. 061 



229. 731 

23, 820 

41. 031 

107. 599 

2S. 200 

- 

102. 713 

41, 807 



96. 760 

170. S6T 

12. 720 ' 

81.382 
2S9. 067 



469, 501 

22. 719 

4. 77S 

237. 943 
50,583 . 

56. 801 . 

46. 897 . 
202,370 . 
197.951 . 

13. 222 . 

13. 428 . 
56, 149 . 

85, 44,- . 

44. 742 . 

17. 453 . 
7. 403 . 



362. 658 
118. 616 

40, 968 

47. 929 

291. 209 
25. 147 
37, 756 
72,800 
27.165 

125. 6SS 
103, 528 

90. 555 
171,968 
11.733 
69. 670 
245. 457 

489,977 

20, 395 

4. 527. 

282, 21" 
43. 219 

48, 228 

41. 578 
240. < '01 
357. 466; 

12. 567; 



89. 728 . 
122. 763 ■ 
127. 495 . 

69, 965 
20, 5-7 . 
10. 356 



49:2-1 


66. 619 


71.599 


132. 999 


151. 4S3 


121.142 


93. 340 


114. 101 


93. 437 


59. 365 


79, 038 


74.328 


17. 502 


37, 392 


19.508 


4, 915 


7. 545 


7,544 


132, 004 


r 

162. 221 


134. 921 


20. 535 


55, 323 


78. G70 



10. 324! 
76. 559' 

124. 630 

35, 488; 

14, 184* 
110, 35o 

65. 523 



74.274 

77. 239: 
24. 506 



407. 296 
15. 477 

60. 028 

61.569 

r I 
347.735 
30,296 
30. 992 
108, 840 
34, 021 

141. S09 



105.962 
202. 068 

12. 782 
106. 977 
372. -65. 

594. 047 

27. 784 

2. 658 

376. 156 
80. 465 

71.566 
45. 092 
343. 521 
532. 080 

13. 452 

19. 994 
77. 578 



140. 615 

56, 819, 

20, 917 
114. 617 



135, 621 
297, 137 
118. 871 ! 

66.891 
24. 150 
9. 301 



405. 712 
167. 572 

46. 049 

63, 372 

293. 042 
33. 127 
29. 377 
44.756 
27. 539 

148. 346 
106, 662 

102, o74 
273. -56 
12. 002 
112. 611 
464. 709 

629. 356 

10,399 

11, 152 

315. 960 
98. 357 

92. 826 
40. 711 
290, 022 
654, 773 
13.840 

13.356 
84. 401 

176. 346 

71.537 

25.236 
105. 699 



91. 085 
157. 942 
107. 750 

72, 403 
18.459 
9. 270 



Total 5. 624. 240 4, 854. 787 3. 830, 545 4. 877. 739 4. 596. 534 4. 540. 8^7 5. 438, 791 6. 962. 201 7. 439, 483 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
J. 

EXPORTS BY ARTICLES. 

Statement showing the principal exports from the Hawaiian Islands. 
QUANTITIES. 



243 



Articles. 


1S82. 


1883. 


1884. 


1885. 


1886. 


Molasses gallons.. 

Eice pounds. . 


114. 177, 938 
221. 293 
12, 169. 475 
459, 633 
8, 131 
26, 007 
77, 098 
23, 402 
528, 913 
2,111 
28, 848 


114, 107, 155 
193.997 
11. 619, 000 
1, 368, 705 
16, 057 
38, 955 
32, 252 
24, 798 
318, 271 
3,783 
44, 902 


142, 644, 923 
110. 530 
9, 493, 000 
46, 224 
4, 231 
21, 026 
2, 864 
20, 125 
407, 623 
465 
60, 046 


171, 350, 314 
57. 941 
7, 367, 253 


216, 223, 615 
113, 137 
7, 338, 716 


Tallow pounds.. 


1,675 
19, 045 


5, 931 
31,207 
21, 305 
21, 173 
418, 784 


Wool pounds.. 

Fungus pounds.. 


19, 782 
474, 121 


Bananas bunches . . 


58, 040 


45, 862 


Articles. 


1887. 


1888. 


1889. 


1890. 


1891. 


Sugar pounds.. 

Molasses gallons.. 

Eice pounds.. 

Paddy pounds.. 


212, 763, 647 
71, 222 
13, 684. 200 
400 
5, 300 
28, 639 
56. 713 
10, 223 
75, 911 


235, 888, 346 
47, 965 
1 878. 600 


242, 165. 835 
54, 612 
9. 669, 896 


259, 768. 462 
74, 926 
10, 579, 000 


274, 983, 580 
55,845 
4, 900, 450 


Coffee pounds. . 

Hides number.. 

Tallow pounds.. 

Goatskins number.. 


7,130 
24. 494 

204, 743 
17, 589 

562, 289 


43. 673 
27, 158 
97, 125 
11,715 
241, 925 


88. 593 
28. 196 
33. 876 
8, 661 
374, 724 


3, 051 
26. 057 
27, 925 

7, 316 
97, 119 




58, 936 


71, 335 


105, 630 


97, 204 


116, 660 



VALUE 



Articles. 


1882. 


1883. 


1884. 


1885. 


1886. 












- 

$9, 775, 132 
14, 502 
326, 629 










7, 050 
387. 297 










Paddy 








Coffee . . .' - 








283 
71, 533 


1, 067 
111,911 
1,011 
12, 644 
37, 700 


























15, 023 
49, 574 


Wool 
























58, 810 


43, 824 










Total 












$6, 885, 437 


$7, 924, 727 


$7, 977. 909 


$9, 158, 818 


$10. 565, 886 




Articles. 


1887. 

: ; 


1888. 


1889. 


1800. 


1891. 






$10. 818. 883 


$13. 089. 302 


$12, 159, 285 $9, 550, 938 
7,603 j 4,721 
545,240 i 263,455 




10, 522 
554, 295 


5. 900 i 6, 185 
577,583 451,134 


Eice \ 


Paddy 


Coffee 


HI 
96. 851 
1.121 
7.358 
7,010 


1. 698 1 8, 626 
85,853 j 72.974 
7. 507 | 4, 214 
8,877 | 5,461 
41,084 j 23,875 


14,737 i 1,018 
70.949 i 64,032 
1, 140 | 731 
3. 1S2 3, 212 
35,396 j 8,000 


Hides 


Tallow 


Goatskins 


Wool 






54, 708 


69,249 ! 135,278 

1 


176,351 j 179,501 




Total 




1 | 




9, 435, 204 


11,631,465 


13, 810, 071 


13,023,304 10,244,325 

1 





244 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
K. 



IMPORTS AND EXPORTS BY COUNTRIES. 



Statement showing the value of imports into and exports from Hawaii, from and to the 

several countries. 



From and fco. 


1884. 


1885. 


1886. 


1887. 


1888. 


1889. 


1890. 


1891. 


IMPOSTS INTO 
HAWAII. 

United States 

Great Britain 

Germany 

China and Japan.. 

A n other countries 


$2, 833, 127 
715. 532 
197, 531 

29, 375 
178, 162 

21, 121 


$2, 940, 837 
556, 966 
155. 893 

16. 803 
118, 864 

14, 384 


$3. 724, 006 
551. 711 
144, 207 

29, 352 
257, 913 

11, 495 


$3. 059, 157 
660, 641 
182, 343 
157, 871 
258, 885 
11, 605 




$3, 344, 661 
652, 171 
182. 929 
110, 924 
119. 616 
10, 292 


$4, 302, 995 
674, 832 
90. 747 
116, 192 
200. 926 
4, 781 


$5, 264, 692 
1, 204, ( 22 
147, 288 
142, 494 
•313,607 
7, 803 


$6, 495, 608 
* 384, 146 
227, 392 
185, 156 
287, 956 
21, 666 


Total 

EXPORTS FROM 
HAWAII. 

United States 


















4, 637, 514 


3, 830, 544 


4, 877, 738 


4, 943, 841 


4, 540, 8*57 



5, 438, 791 


6, 962, 901 


7, 439, 483 




8, 933, 206 


10, 412, 827 






13, 840, 523 


13, 073, 477 


10,196,278 










Germany 






12, 203 

3 322 










10, 170 
4, 038 
34, 651 
14, 153 






17, 258 
15,454 






5, 813 
11, 905 
9, 684 


18,110 

12.536 
■ 30,769 


China and Japan 




3, 198 






Islands in Pacific.. 








All other places 













Total 
















8, 184, 923 


9, 069, 318 


10, 565, 886 


9, 529, 547 


11, 707, 599jl3, 874, 341 


13, 142, 8^29 


10, 258, 788 



Total value of exports for 1883 was $8,133,344. 



L. 



Annual value of Hawaiian imports and exports. 



Years. 


Imports. 


Exports, t 


Imports and 
exports. 


Customs 
receipts. 


1882 


$4, 547, 979 
5, 624. 240 
4, 854. 787 

3, 830. 515 

4, 877, 739 
4. 596, 834 

4, 540, 887 

5, 438, 791 

6, 962, 241 

7, 439, 483 


$6, 885, 437 
7, 924, 727 
7, 977. 909 
9, 158. 818 
10,565. 886 
9, 435, 204 
11, 631, 465 
13, 810, 071 
13, 023, 304 
10, 244. 325 


$11, 433. 416 

13, 548. 967 
12, 832, 696 
12. 980. 363 
15, 443, 625 

14. 032. 038 
16, 172, 352 
19, 248. 862 
19. 985, 505 
17.0S3,8()8 


$505. 391 
577, 343 
551.737 
502, 337 
580. 444 
595. 003 
546, 143 
550, 010 
695, 957 
732, 595 


1883 


1884 


1885 


1886 




1888 


1889 




1891 


Total 


52, 713, 486 


100, 657, 146 


153, 370, 632 


5, 836, 960 





* As given in the Hawaiian customs returns. The Hawaiian Annual gives the following figures: 
From the United States, $5,294,278.57; from Great Britain, $1,201,329.43. The total imports agree in 
both publications. The commission consider, in this particular, that the Hawaiian Annual is correct. 

t Domestic expom only. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 245 
M. 

NATIONALITY OF SHIPPING. 

Statement snowing the nationality of vessels engaged in the foreign carrying trade of 

Hawaii. 

CLEARANCES. 



Nationality. 


18S2. 


1883. 


1884. 


1885. 


1886. 


Hawaiian 

British 

French 


No. 
179 
19 
44 
11 
1 
4 


Tons. 
103, 591 
5. G13 
56, 025 
5, 716 
244 
1,430 


No. 

195 
23 
42 
6 


Tons. 
117, s 52 
7,867 
53, 310 
4, 882 


No. 
191 
29 
11 
4 
4 

2 


Tons. 
135,618 
41, 398 
3,672 

2. 959 

3, 225 
954 


184 
18 
30 
5 
2 
4 


Tom. 
131,011 
6, 9S2 
38, 749 

2. 377 
"*720 

3, 817 


*, 

220 
29 
38 
8 


Tons. 

128, 224 
40, 242 
30, 435 
5, 581 


. v 11 other 

Total 




1 


1, 305 


7 


6, 206 


258 


172, 619 


267 


185, 316 


241 


187, 826 


243 


183, 656 


302 


219, 688 


Nationality. 


1887. 


1888. 


1889. 


1890. 


1891. 




No. 

Ill 
43 
18 
6 


Tons. 
120. 108 
61. 398 
19, 869 
4, 628 


No. 

164 
43 
24 
8 


Tons. 
113.069 
65. 115 
28, 715 
6, 385 


No. 

185 
44 
22 
5 


Tons. 
125. 196 
56, 670 
21, 108 
3, 337 



No. 

224 
35 
16 
9 


Tons. 
153, 098 
43, 641 
22, 912 
7, 070 


No. 

233 
21 
33 

9 


Tons. 
169, 472 
26, 869 
52, 866 
9, 005 




8 


6,486 j 8 


6,892 


13 


12. 268 


9 


9. 980 


15 


16, 640 


252 


212. 489 247 

1 


222, 216 


269 


218, 579 


293 


236, 701 


311 


274, 852 



246 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Senate Ex. Doc. No. 77, Fifty-second Congress, second session. 

MESSAGE 

FROM THE 

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 

TRANSMITTING 

Correspondence respecting relations between the United States and the 
Hawaiian Islands from September, 1820, to January, 1893. 



February 17, 1893.— Read, referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, and 

ordered to be printed. 



To the Senate: 

I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of State of the 15th 
instant, covering a report with accompanying correspondence respect- 
ing relations between the United States and the Ha waiian Islands from 
September, 1820, to January, 1893. 

Benj. Harrison. 

Executive Mansion, 

Washington, February 16, 1893. 



The President : 

In further relation to the subject, and as being of interest in con- 
junction with the papers submitting the treaty concluded and 
signed at Washington on the 14th of February, instant, and sent to 
the Senate with a message on the 15th instant, the undersigned, Secre- 
tary of State, has the honor to submit the accompanying report by 
Andrew H. Allen, chief of the Bureau of Rolls and Library of this De- 
partment, upon the relations between the United States and the Ha- 
waiian Islands from 1820 to 1893, supplemented by an appendix and 
copies of considerable correspondence involved in the narrative. 

This report shows that from an early day the policy of the United 
States has been consistently and constantly declared against any for- 
eign aggression in the Kingdom of Hawaii inimical to the necessarily 
paramount rights and interests of the American people there, and the 
uniform contemplation of their annexation as a contingent necessity. 
But beyond that it is shown that annexation has been on more than 
one occasion avowed as a policy and attempted as a fact. Such a soh> 
tion was admitted as early as 1850 by so far-sighted a statesman as 
Lord Palmerston when he recommended to a visiting Hawaiian com- 
mission the contingency of a protectorate under the United States or 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



247 



of becoming an integral part of this nation in fulfillment of a destiny 
due to close neighborhood and commercial dependence upon the Pa- 
cific States. 

Early in* 1851 a contingent deed of cession of the kingdom was drawn 
and signed by the king and placed sealed in the hands of the commis- 
sioner of the United States, who was to open it and act upon its pro- 
visions at the first hostile shot tired by France in subversion of Hawai- 
ian independence. 

In 1854 Mr. Marcy advocated annexation and a draft of a treaty was 
actually agreed upon with the Hawaiian ministry, but its completion 
was delayed by the successful exercise of foreign influence upon the heir 
to the throne, and finally defeated by the death of the king, Kameha- 
meha III. 

In 1867, Mr. Seward, having become advised of a strong annexation 
sentiment in the islands, instructed our minister at Honolulu favorably 
to receive any native overtures for annexation. And on the 12th of 
September, 1867, he wrote to Mr. McCook, "that if the policy of annex- 
ation should conflict with the policy of reciprocity, annexation is in every 
case to be preferred." 

President Johnson in his annual message of December 9, 1868, re- 
garded reciprocity with Hawaii as desirable, " until the people of the 
islands shall of themselves, at no distant day, voluntarily apply for ad- 
mission into the Union." 

In 1871, on the 5th of April, President Grant in a special message 
significantly solicited some expression of the views of the Senate re- 
specting the advisability of annexation. 

In an instruction of March 25, 1873, Mr. Fish considered the necessity 
of annexing the islands in accordance with the wise foresight of those 
"who see a future that must extend the jurisdiction and the limits of 
this nation, and that will require a resting spot in midocean between 
the Pacific Coast and the vast domains of Asia, which are uow opening 
to commerce and Christian civilization." And he directed our minister 
u not to discourage the feeling which may exist in favor of annexation 
to the United States," but to seek and even invite information touch- 
ing the terms and conditions upon which that object might be effected. 

Since the conclusion of the reciprocity treay of 1875, it has been the 
obvious policy of the succeeding administrations to assert and defend 
against other powers the exclusive commercial rights of the United 
States and to fortify the maintenance of the existing Hawaiian Gov- 
ernment through the direct support of the United States, so long as 
that Government shall prove able to protect our paramount rights and 
interests. 

On December 1, 1881, Mr. Blaine, in an instruction to the American 
minister at Honolulu, wrote: 

It [this Government J firmly believes that the position of the Hawaiian Islands, as 
the key to the dominion of the American Pacific, demands their benevolent neu- 
trality, to which end it will earnestly cooperate with the native government. And 
if, through any cause, the maintenance of such a position of benevolent neutrality 
should be found by Hawaii to be impracticable, this Government would then unhes- 
itatingly meet the altered situation by seeking an avowedly American solution foi 
the grave issues presented. 

Respectfully submitted, 

John W. Foster. 

Department of State, 

February 15, 1893. 



248 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Department of State, 
Bureau of Rolls and Library, 

Washington, February .9, 1893. 
Sir : In obedience to your direction of the 30th of January ultimo, 
J have the honor to submit the accompanying report on relations with 
the Hawaiian Islands. 
Respectfully, 

Andrew H. Allen. 

The Secretary of State. 



REPORT UPON THE OFFICIAL RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WITH THE 
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS FROM THE FIRST APPOINTMENT OF A CONSULAR OFFICER 
THERE BY THIS GOVERNMENT. 1 



On September 19, 1820, Mr. John .0." Jones was appointed to reside 
at the Sandwich Islands in the capacity of "Agent of the United 
States for commerce and seamen." To those functions there were added 
to the duties of tLe agent a general super vision of American interests 
in the islands concerning the status of which he advised the Depart- 
ment from time to time. Other official information touching these 
interests, and events then current there, was occasionally afforded by 
officers of the Navy, on visiting vessels, whose instructions permitted 
their friendly intervention in such affairs of the country as they might 
with propriety regard as of importance to this Government. 

In consequence of instructions in May, 1825, to Commodore Hull, U. 
S. Navy, in command of the Pacific squadron, then at Oallao, Thomas 
ap Oatesby Jones, commanding the U. S. S. Peacock, was sent the fol- 
lowing year to Honolulu on a visit of friendly inspection, to relieve the 
native authorities of the annoyance occasioned by deserters from Ameri- 
can vessels in the islands, and to endeavor to adjust certain claims due 
American citizens there resident. . The objects of this visit were suc- 
cessfully accomplished, and Capt. Jones negotiated a treaty of friend- 
ship, commerce, and navigation with the King, which was signed De- 
cember 23, 1820. This was the first treaty formally negotiated by the 
Hawaiians with any foreign power, and although it was never ratified 
by this Government, certain of its stipulations appear to have embodied 
friendly views and purposes of the United States which were considered 
morally binding by both parties. (A copy of the treaty will be found 
in Appendix — . 

In 1829, Capt. Finch, commanding the TJ. S. S. Yincennes, visited the 
islands as the bearer of presents and a letter, dated January 20 of that 
year, from the Secretary of the Navy, on behalf of the President. In 
that letter Mr. Southard said : 

The President anxiously hopes that peace and kindness and justice will prevail 
between your people and those citizens of the United States who visit your islands, 
and that the regulations of your government will be such as to enforce them upon 
all. 

Our citizens who violate your laws or interfere with your regulations violate at 
the same time their duty to their own Government and country, and merit censure 
and punishment. 

From time to time thereafter naval vessels of the United States vis- 
ited Hawaii and intervened in a friendly way in their affairs. Among 
them the United States frigate Potomac, with Commodore Downs, 
touched at Honolulu soon after the deportation, in December, 1831, of 
the Roman Catholic priests who had been Introduced into the country 
in 1827 by the French, and that officer interceded successfully in be- 
half of some of their converts, who were undergoing persecution at 
the hands of the native Government. These persecutions were not 

249 



250 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



finally arrested until 1839, in July of which year the French frigate 
IPArtemise, Laplace, commander, visited there. Laplace propounded 
several demands for the adoption of measures for the protection of the 
Catholics and ottered a treaty of commerce, etc., threatening in the 
event of noncompliance with the demands and nonsignature of the 
treaty by the Hawaiian authorities to proceed forthwith to hostilities. 
The American consul was notified by Laplace at the same time that the 
American Protestant clergy would be treated as a part of the native 
population when hostilities should begin, lie regarding them as the in- 
stigators of the alleged insults to France. The treaty, however, was 
signed by the premier, in the King's name, and violence was averted. 

Under the provisions of article vi of this treaty intoxicating liquors 
were introduced. (Appendix.) 

At about the same time the British consul, Mr. Charlton, who had 
long been at odds with the native Government, left to present, en route 
to London, certain personal claims and complaints to the British naval 
force on the South Pacific station. Already his representations had 
secured the violent intervention of Lord Edward Eussell, commanding 
H. B. M. S. Acieon, and that officer had u negotiated a treaty" under 
the guns of his ship, which was signed November 16, 1830. (Apj>en- 
dix.) 

Charlton did not return, but the result of his errand was the visit in - 
February, 1843, of Lord George Paulet, commanding H. B. M. S. Carys- 
fort, who seized the islands in the Queen's name and forced from the 
King, Kamehameha III, a deed of cession, which was pathetically pro- 
claimed by the unfortunate monarch on the 25th of that month. The 
Government was immediately put in commission by a proelamation of 
Lord George, he and (in the King's absence) the King's deputy, Mr. 
Judd, with others, being of the commission. On the 11th of May Mr. 
Judd resigned, after a protest against some of the acts of the commis- 
sion, and thus withdrew the King from all further participation in their 
course. The remaining members of the commission continued to ad- 
minister the Government and to perform various sovereign functions. 
Among others, they raised a native regiment, which they called " The 
Queen's Own," but which they armed and equipped at the expense of 
the Hawaiian treasury, and the officers of which they, of course, re- 
quired to make oath of allegiance to the British Queen. 

Commodore Kearney, U. S Navy, on board the U. S. Frigate Con- 
stellation, arrived on the 11th of July, and promptly protested against 
the King's deed of cession, and also against the acts of the commission 
wherein the rights of American citizens had suffered in any degree. 
The King returned to Honolulu on the 25th of July, and on the 20th 
Bear- Admiral Thomas, B. N., entered the harbor on board H. B. M. S. 
Dublin, from Valparaiso. After friendly conferences between the King 
and the admiral, an agreement was signed, the Hawaiian flag was 
restored on July 31, 1843, and Lord George Paulet's act of seizure disa- 
vowed. (Appendix.) 

In this relation Mr. Fox, in a note of June 25, 1813, to Mr. Upshur, 
used the following language: 

I am directed by the Earl of Aberdeen to state to you, for the information of the 
Government of the United States, that the occupation of the Sandwich Islands was 
an act entirely unauthorized by Her Majesty's Government; and that with the least 
practicable delay due inquiry will be made into the proceedings which led to it. 
(Appendix.) 

[In an ingenious (but not ingenuous) plea of defense against the claim of the 
King for compensation and reimbursement, the Earl of Aberdeen satisfied himself 
that no such claim could be entertained by Great Britain. He regarded the seizure 
by Lord Get>rge Paulet as not " forcible — History Hawaiian Islands, Jarves.] 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



251 



The indirect causes of this outrage were complicated, but of assisted 
and persistent growth. From the early days of foreign interests and 
immigration in Hawaii the American element had predominated. The 
contention of the two principal European nations sending ships into 
the North Pacific — England and France — for supremacy in the islands 
was hampered by this fact. The remedy adopted by the French was 
the introduction of a rival religion. It was the belief of the British 
consul that American influence might thusl)e broken, and the field left 
clear for a settlement of the question of ultimate sovereignty between 
the two powers, whose policy in that part of the world was one of con- 
quest or colonization. The native sentiment turned toward that people 
by whom their independence had been first virtually acknowledged. 
The treaty negotiated by Gapt. Jones had been the first actual recog- 
nition of their autonomy. For while that treaty had not been formally 
ratified, it had been observed as morally binding. The United States 
had manifested towards the Hawaiians a spirit of goodwill, and had 
maintained an attitude of neighborly respect in all official relations. 
The visits of their naval vessels had been generally helpful and encour- 
aging j the purposes of their immigrants had been generally civilizing 
and progressive. By the policy of the French and English the Ameri- 
cans were thrust into a position of defense alongside of the native 
population, and threatened with a share of the punishment to be visited 
upon the government for the fancied insults and wrongs suffered by 
the people of those two nations. 

But a short time before the event just recited, William Eichards, a 
clergymen, and Timoteo Haalilio, of the King's suite, the first embassy 
from Hawaii, had left for the United States, thence to proceed to Eng- 
land and France, upon the errand of securing recognition of the inde- 
pendence of their government. Mr. Eichards had been formerly sent 
to this country in 1836 by the King to secure, if possible, the service of 
some American eminent in public life as advisers to the chiefs; but his 
mission had been unsuccessful. 

The embassy having arrived at Washington addressed a communica- 
tion to Mr. Webster on the 14th of December, 1842, setting forth the 
situation of affairs in the Hawaiian Islands, reciting the progress of 
the people in the paths of civilization j their aspirations, and the neces- 
sity that demanded the formulation by the King of some definite foreign 
policy, and the assumption by his government of diplomatic relations 
with other powers. 

Mr. Webster answered them on the 19th, declaring in the name of 
the President recognition of the independence of the Hawaiian Govern- 
ment and the sense of the United States that no interference with the 
King by foreign powers should be countenanced. He pointed out the 
interest of the American people in the islands and the reasons for such 
interest, and added that in so obvious a case the President did not re- 
gard a formal treaty or the establishment of formal diplomatic rela- 
tions as then necessary. He concluded with the assurance that not 
improbably the correspondence would be made the subject of a commu- 
nication to Gongress, and be thus officially made known to the Gov- 
ernments of the principal commercial nations of Europe. The Presi- 
dent communicated the correspondence to Congress on the 30th of 
December, with a special message declarative of his policy. (Ap- 
pendix.) 

This recognition of Hawaiian independence was, as we shall see, 
afterwards confirmed by Mr. Galhoun. 
Proceeding to England the Hawaiian ambassadors were fyially sue- 



252 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



cessful in Loudon in securing, on the 28th of November, 1843, a conven- 
tion between France and Great Britain, engaging them " reciprocally 
to consider the Sandwich Islands as an independent state, and never to 
take possession, either directly or under title of protectorate, or under 
any other form, of any part of the territory' of which they are com- 
posed." (Appendix.) 

This convention did not, however, guarantee the autonomy of the 
islands as against any third power, nor did it contain any expression 
of opinion on that point similar in spirit to Mr. Webster's declaration 
of the preceding December. Its intention seems to have been simply 
reciprocally to bind those two powers to do one thing — that is, "to con- 
sider the Sandwich Islands as an independent state" — and to refrain 
from doing another thing — that is, " never to take possession," under 
any pretext, " of any part of the territory of which they are composed." 

In consequence of the recommendation contained in the message of 
President Tyler, of December 30, 1842, Congress made an appropria- 
tion for the compensation of a diplomatic officer from this Government 
to the Sandwich Islands, and on March 3, 1843, Mr. George Brown, of 
Massachusetts, was appointed commissioner. Mr. Brown arrived at 
Honolulu in October following, and, on the 30th of that month, pre- 
sented his credentials, with an address to the King, in which he asked 
in behalf of the citizens of the United States favorable and impartial 
treatment, at the same time assuring the monarch that this Govern- 
ment had no wish to secure for itself or its citizens any exclusive priv- 
ileges. The King, answering, said upon this point: 

You may assure your Government that I shall always consider the citizens of th e 
United States as entitled to equal privileges with those of the most favored nation. 
(Appendix.) 

Unfortunately, soon after Mr. Brown's arrival — by the latter part of 
the following August — a cause of serious* difference arose between him 
and the King's Government in the case of John Wiley, an American 
citizen, who had been arrested charged with the commission of a crime 
or misdemeanor, and to whom trial by jury had been denied by the 
local governor. 

The treaty with France, above alluded to as secured by Capt. La- 
place at the mouth of his guns, contained a stipulation (Article VI) 
that— 

No Frenchman accused of any crime whatever shall be judged otherwise than by 
a jury composed of foreign residents, proposed by the consul of France and accepted 
by the Government of the Sandwich Islands. 

Onthe 12th of February, 1844, a convention with Great Britain had been 
entered into by the King's Government which contained (Article in) the 
same provision in identical phrase, mutatis mutandis. This treaty had been 
secured very much after the fashion observed by Laplace. Within less 
than one year before its signature the islands had been seized by Great 
Britain and had been adequately advised of the power of England. 
The King's embassy was still absent, and the newly arrived British 
consul-general had communicated the fact that he was without discre- 
tion to alter terms. The treaty was itself, in still other respects, objec- 
tionable to the American commissioner by reason of apparent discrim- 
ination in favor of England and against the United States, and it had 
already been the subject of an earnest protest on his part. And now, 
there being no treaty with the United States, the King's promise made 
in his speech to that commissioner, as he understood it, had been ig- 
nored by advice of the attorney- general — an American citizen — a law- 
yer of New York, of the name of John Bicord, who had been invited to 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



253 



accept tlie office and had gone to Hawaii and there become naturalized 
for the purpose. The dispute over the treaty and the Wiley case to- 
gether created a situation of affairs that resulted in a request from the 
King for the recall of Mr. Brown (whose conduct was, however, ap- 
proved by this Government) and the appointment of Mr. Ten Eyck. 
(Appendix.) 

But in the meantine, on the 6th of July, 1844, the King's commis- 
sioners, having returned to this country from Europe, received a com- 
munication from Mr. Calhoun confirming the "full recognition on the 
part of the United States of the independence of the Hawaiian Govern- 
ment." They left for Honolulu in November. 

On March 26, 1846, two general conventions Avere entered into — one 
by France, the other by Great Britain — identical in terms and equally 
to be substituted for all preexisting agreements made by those Govern- 
ments with the King. These conventions modified the jury clauses 
and Article vi of the Laplace treaty, governing the importation of intox- 
icating liquors. Juries were to be composed of native or foreign resi- 
dents proposed by the consul (English or French) and accepted by the 
Hawaiian Government, and duties were allowed within the prohibitory 
limit upon ardent spirits. These conventions do not, however, seem to 
have recognized the complete independence of the King. (Appendix.) 

On the 19th of the following October a treaty with Denmark was 
concluded at Honolulu, containing the favored-nation clause; and this 
compact appears to be the first of its kind conveying unrestricted and 
ample acknowledgment of Hawaiian independence. (Appendix.) 

Mr. Ten Eyck's instructions had included a charge to negotiate a 
treaty upon the basis of that existing between the Government of the 
islands and Great Britain at the time of his appointment. The unac- 
ceptability of the jury clause in that instrument and the desire of the 
Hawaiian King to secure its modification rendered it unwise to insist 
upon a similar article in any new convention. The authority of Mr. 
Ten Eyck had not been limited to the negotiation of an identical agree- 
ment, and he seems therefore to have persisted unwisely in urging the 
inclusion of the objectionable provision. This error was pointed out to 
him by Mr. Buchanan in an instruction of June 18, 1847, but seem- 
ingly without result. Much correspondence occurred between the 
King's minister and the American commissioner, and several projects 
of treaties were ineffectually submitted by the latter. Pending these 
negotiations the disadvantageous position of the United States, in the 
absence of a treaty, was emphasized by each new agreement success- 
fully negotiated by other governments. Meanwhile the commissioner 
became indiscreetly (with American claimants) involved in serious dif- 
ferences of opinion with the Government of Hawaii, respecting the 
rights of American residents, and his attitude became finally one of 
hostility. There was the repetition of the old story, told so many times 
in such quarters of the globe, x>ersonal and commercial difficulties in- 
volving consuls and diplomatic agents alike, conflicting interests among 
foreigners of two or three nationalities, rival factions, complicated 
quarrels, and, so far as practicable, general disregard of native rights 
by each and all. Mr. Ten Eyck was roundly rated by Mr. Buchanan 
in an interesting dispatch of considerable length and some tartness, 
dated August 28, 1848, from which there will be occasion to make sev- 
eral extracts. Mr. Ten Eyck resigned in September, 1848, and Mr. 
Charles Eames was appointed January 12, 1849. (Appendix.) 

On the 8th of January, 1848, a treaty with Hamburg was concluded 
by the King's minister for foreign affairs, and later in the month an 



254 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



agreement touching consular notices under the Danish and Hamburg 
treaties was readied. But it was not until October 22, 1849, that a 
treaty with this Government was finally signed at San Francisco by Mr. 
Eames and ]\ir. Judd. (Appendix.) 

Mr. Eames, en route to Honolulu, had met Mr. Judd, the King's com- 
missioner, en route to Washington, at San Francisco, and there to- 
gether they had agreed upon an instrument of a general character. 
The treaty, in the English and Hawaiian languages, reached the De- 
partment of State on the 8th of December. But, in the meantime, the 
Hawaiian Government had appointed Mr. James Jackson Jarves, then 
in this country, a special commissioner to negotiate a treaty, and he 
met Mr. Clayton, appointed on behalf of the United States, at Wash- 
ington in the same month. They agreed upon terms and signed a 
treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation, and for extradition of 
criminals, December 20, 1849. Ratifications were exchanged at Hono- 
lulu the 24th of August, following, and the treaty was proclaimed — the 
first perfected treaty between the two powers — November 9, 1850. 

This convention did not differ materially from the treaties negotiated 
by this Government with other nations for similar purposes. The 
treaty is still in force except so far as modified by later conventions. 
(Appendix.) 

In 1849 disputes between the French consul and the native authori- 
ties respecting the convention of 1846 brought about another seizure 
of the islands by the armed forces of France, which became the occasion 
of the dispatch of very explicit instructions from the American Secre- 
tary of State. After a preliminary diplomatic skirmish between the 
French naval commander, Admiral de Tromelin, and the King's minis- 
ter for foreign affairs, Mr. Wyllie, the admiral formulated his demands 
in an ultimatum, and upon its nonacceptahee the naval force under 
his command, on the 25th of August, 1849, took military possession of 
the fort, the Government offices, and of the custom-house, and seized 
the King's royal yacht and several other vessels belonging to private 
persons. Official news of this proceeding reached the United States 
December 10, 1849, from Mr. Ten Eyck. (Appendix.) 

The French continued in possession of the fort and public buildings 
until the 4th or 5th of September, dismantled the fort, and destroyed 
considerable public property, but did not haul down the Hawaiian flag. 
Upon the exercise of this restraint they depended for the argument 
that thev had not acted in contravention of the agreement with England 
of 1843. (Appendix.) 

Mr. Judd was appointed by the King as commissioner to England, 
France, and the United States, it appeals, with pretty full powers to 
make some adjustment of this last difficulty. It was rumored that he 
was not limited even from cession of the kingdom either to England or 
the United States. His negotiations with the French minister for for- 
eign affairs having proved fruitless he reached the United States on 
his way home in the spring of 1850, and in conjunction with Mr. Jarves 
solicited the good offices of this Government in the settlement of the 
dispute with France. They were promptly accorded by the President, 
through the Secretary of State, in a note of June 3, 1850, and instruc- 
tions in conformity therewith were sent to Mr. Kives at Paris. Kego 
tuitions dragged and chances of settlement seemed to recede until on 
the 11th of March, 1851, Mr. Severance, the commissioner of the United 
States at Honolulu, reported the fact that a deed of cession of the 
kingdom to the United States had been drawn, submitted to him, sealed, 
and delivered to him on the afternoon of the same day by two of the 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



255 



King's ministers. This instrument was the consequence of the King's 
apprehension excited by the hostile attitude of France. It bore the 
following' inscription in the Hawaiian language: 

The King requests the commissioner of the United States, in case the flag of the 
United States is raised above the Hawaiian, that he will open the inclosed and act 
accordingly. 

The terms of this deed provided that the kingdom should be held 
by the United States until a satisfactory adjustment of the dispute with 
France, and, failing that end within a reasonable period, should be 
permanently transferred to them. (Appendix.) 

Answering Mr. Severance's series of dispatches on this subject, Mr. 
Webster, on the 14th of July, 1851, said: 

The Navy Department will receive instructions to place and to keep the naval 
armament of the United States in the Pacific Ocean in such a state of strength and 
preparation as shall be requisite for the preservation of the honor and dignity of 
the United States and the safety of the Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

In a confidential dispatch of the same date Mr. Severance was di- 
rected to return to the Hawaiian Government the deed of cession 
placed in his hands. (Appendix.) 

The subject of annexation was not, however, abandoned in the corres- 
pondence by reason of Mr. Webster's dispatch. Mr. Marcy, writing 
to Mr. Gregg, then United States commissioner there, on the 4th of 
April, 1854, discussed the question fully, and authorized the negotiation 
of a treaty for the purpose, the terms of which he indicated. On the 
11th November following, a draft of a treaty acceptable to the King 
was received with Mr. Gregg's dispatch ^o. 52 of September 15, 1854. 
(Appendix.) 

Stipulations were drawn in this treaty for annuities aggregating three 
times the sum offered for that purpose by Mr. Marcy, and for the ad- 
mission of the Kingdom as a State of the Union. These provisions were 
objected to by this Government, but before any conclusion was reached 
the King, Kamehameha III, died, and was succeeded in February, 1855, 
by a prince who held views unfavorable to the project, and so the treaty 
failed. (Appendix.) 

In 1855, on the '20th of July, a treaty of reciprocity was con- 
cluded at Washington by Air. Marcy and Judge Lee, the King's com- 
missioner: but, although the Sena te Committee on Foreign A H airs 
appears to have been favorable to it, ratification failed, it is said, by 
reason of the pressure of more important and absorbing questions. 
(Airpendix.) 

Correspondence for several years following this incident is chiefly 
concerned with claims, complaints, and matters of routine. In 1803 the 
rank of the diplomatic officer of this Government was raised to that of 
minister resident, and James McBride, of Oregon, was appointed to 
that office. The conduct of the civil war so far diverted attention from 
Hawaiian affairs that consideration of the subject of a desired treaty of 
reciprocity was obliged, by Mr. Seward's engagements, to be deferred to 
a more tranquil period, and until the results of English and Southern 
influence there, exerted during the civil war in the United States against 
this Government, should be overcome. There are occasional references 
to annexation. (Appendix.) 

Iai December, 1866, Queen Emma, queen dowager of Hawaii, visited 
the United States on her way from England to Honolulu. 

On the 1st of February, 1867, Mr. McOook, our minister at Honolulu, 
was instructed that it was the desire to revive the subject of the reci- 
procity treaty of 1855, but upon terms more liberal to the United 



256 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



States. Accordingly, on the 21st of May following, Mr. McCook, on be- 
half of the United States, and Mr. Harris, on the part of the Hawaiian 
Government, concluded a treaty of reciprocity at San Francisco, which 
received the approval of the President, but failed of ratification by the 
Senate. (Appendix.) 

In a private note of June 7, 1867, Mr. McCook adverted to the sub- • 
ject of annexation, and asked leave of absence to visit the United 
States the following November, when the reciprocity treaty might be 
expected to become the subject of consideration in the Senate. 'iDhis 
leave was granted by Mr. Seward, who thus instructed Mr. McCook : 

You are at liberty to sound the proper authority on the large subject mentioned 
in your note, and ascertain probable conditions. You may confidentially receive 
overtures and communicate the same to me. 

I will act upon your suggestion in that relation in regard to a party now here. 

Mr. Seward's "large subject" was annexation, and Mr. Seward's 
"party now here" was the Hawaiian minister to this country, Mr. C. C. 
Harris. (Appendix.) 

It is probable that a conference was held on the subject by Mr. Sew- 
ard and Mr. Harris, but notes of it do not appear. On the 12th of Sep- 
tember, however, Mr. Seward, writing confidentially to Mr. McCook, 
said : 

Circumstances have transpired here which induce a belief that a strong interest, 
based upon a desire for annexation of the Sandwich Islands, will be active in oppos- 
ing a ratification of the reciprocity treaty. It will be argued that the reciprocity 
will tend to hinder and defeat an early annexation, to which the people of the Sand- 
wich Islands are supposed to be now strongly inclined. 

He advised the minister to remain at Honolulu and abandon his 
earlier plan to visit Washington, and he added — 

That if the policy of annexation should conflict with the policy of reciprocity, an- 
nexation is in every case to be preferred. (Appendix.) 

During the spring and summer of 1867 some apprehension was 
created in the mind of the King by the presence in Hawaiian waters 
of the U. S. S. Lackawanna, Capt. Reynolds. This was based upon 
the fact that the commanding officer had been formerly a resident in 
Hawaii and was interfering, or had the purpose to interfere, in politi- 
cal affairs. It is not impossible that the King's minister for foreign 
affairs, de Varigny, was really responsible for the royal apprehensions. 
The presence of the ship delayed ratification of reciprocity, and it was 
not until after her departure that the King convened the legislature to 
consider the subject. 

His Majesty stated to me [writes Mr. McCook] that he would like to discuss its 
[the treaty's] provisions with me, but did not deem it consistent with his dignity, 
etc., to enter into any such discussion while the Lackawanna remained here; I will 
do His Majestj 7 the justice to say that I do not believe this idea was an original one, 
but was suggested to, and forced upon him by his ministers, they hoping that the 
Lackawanna could not, or would not leave, and. that this might prove an insuperable 
obstacle to the ratification of the treaty. (Appendix.) 

The treaty was ratified July 30, 1867.; Our own Senate had received 
the treaty early the same month; it was reported in February, 1868, 
but was not finally acted upon until June , 1st, 1870, when it was re- 
jected. (Appendix.) 

Very soon after his ratification of the reciprocity treaty the King sent 
a commissioner to Japan to negotiate a commercial treaty. This project 
the American minister at Honolulu earnestly antagonized, upon the 
ground that such a treaty would deflect trade from the United States 
and encourage English competition. (Appendix.) 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



257 



A second time inviting the attention of the Senate to onr own com 
pact with Hawaii, President Johnson said, December 9, 1868: 

It is known and felt by the Hawaiian Government and people that their Govern- 
ment and institutions are feeble and precarious; that the United States, being so 
near a neighbor, would be unwilling to see the islands pass under foreign control. 
Their prosperity is continually disturbed by expectations and alarms of unfriendly 
political proceedings, as well from the United States as from other foreign powers. 
A reciprocity treaty, while it could not materially diminish the revenues of the 
United States, would be a guaranty of the goodwill and forbearance of all nations 
until the people of the islands shall of themselves, at no distant day, voluntarily 
apply for admission into the Union. (Appendix.) 

During the last mentioned year the subject of annexation continued 
to appear as an important feature of the correspondence from time to 
time, and on April 14 a. letter to Mr. R. P. Spaulding, a member of 
Congress, from his son, Mr. Z. S. Spaulding, in charge of the United 
States legation, reported the projected organization of an active an- 
nexation party in Honolulu, and the prevalence of such a sentiment in 
the Kingdom. Mr. Seward was again obliged to defer immediate con- 
sideration of the subject by reason of the administration's absorption 
in domestic affairs relating to reconstruction. (Appendix.) 

In 1868 a remonstrance was made by the United States representa- 
tive at Honolulu on the subject of the importation of coolies into the 
islands, and a resolution of the Senate of the United States, describing 
the traffic in human beings, already substantially extirpated, as ab- 
horrent to the spirit of modern international law and policy, and to the 
advanced sentiment of the great civilized powers, was brought to the 
attention of the Hawaiian Government. This intervention, hoAYever, 
was not effectual to stop or even moderate the business in the face of 
British and other influences, and the trade continued a threatening 
danger to the Kingdom. (Appendix.) 

In February, 1871, Mr. Pierce, our minister at Honolulu, wrote rec- 
ommending the subject of annexation to the attention of the President, 
and President Grant transmitted this most interesting dispatch to the 
Senate, confidentially, with a message soliciting the views of that body 
upon the matter. This message and dispatch are of so much interest 
and importance that it is deemed best to present the executive docu- 
ment in toto in this place. 

[Confidential. Executive B. Forty-second Congress first session.] 

MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING A COPY OF A 
DISPATCH RELATIVE TO THE ANNEXATION OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, ADDRESSED 
TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE BY HENRY A. PIERCE, MINISTER RESIDENT OF 
THE UNITED STATES AT HONOLULU. 

April 7, 1.871. — Read and, with the dispatch referred to the Cominittee on Foreign 
Relations, ordered to be printed in confidence for the use of the Senate. 

To the Senate of the Un ited States : 

I transmit confidentially, for the information and consideration of the Senate, a 
copy of a dispatch of the 25th of February last, relative to the annexation of the 
Hawaiian Islands, addressed to the Department of State by Henry A. Pierce, min- 
ister resident of the United States at Honolulu. Although I do not deem it advisa- 
ble to express any opinion or to make any recommendation in regard to the subject 
at this juncture, the views of the Senate, if it should be deemed proper to express 
them, would be very acceptable with reference to any future course which there 
might be a disposition to adopt. 

U. S. Grant* 

Washington, April 5, 1871. 



H ? Ex, 48 17 



258 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish. 

No. 101.] Legation of United States at Hawaiian Islands, Honolulu. February 25, 
• 1871. 

Mr. Henry A. Pierce to Secretary of State. 

Subject: Annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to the territory of the United States. 

Abstract : United States Government recommended to again consider the subject — 
Prevailing opinion thereon — The choice and will of Hawaiian people will be 
manifested on the death of their king, if approved of by the United States 
Government— Puritan ami democratic tendencies of the Hawaiians — Fifteenth 
amendment. Constitution of the United States — Native population rapidly dis- 
appearing — Leaving their country to foreigners — Eeasons given for the acqui- 
sition of these islands by United States — Lord Palmerston's opinions on the 
question — Sound and prophetic historical incidents in Hawaiian history. 

No. 101.] Legation of the United States of America, 

Honolulu. February 25, 1871. 

Sir: Impressed with the importance of the subject now presented for considera- 
tion, I beg leave to suggest the inquiry whether the period has not arrived making 
it proper, wise, and sagacious for the United States Government to again consider 
the project of annexing the Hawaiian Islands to the territory of the republic. 
That such is to be the political destiny of this archipelago seems a foregone conclu- 
sion in the opinion of all who have given attention to the subject in this country, 
the United States, England, France, and Germany. 

A majority of the aborigines, Creoles, and naturalized foreigners of this country, 
as I am credibly informed, are favorable, even anxious for the consummation of the 
measure named. 

The event of the decease of the present sovereign of Hawaii, leaving no heirs or 
successor to the throne, and the consequent election to be made by the legislative 
assembly of a king, and new stirps for a royal family, will produce a crisis in polit- 
ical a flairs, which, it is thought will be availed of as a propitious occasion to in- 
augurate measures for annexation' of the islands to the United States, the same to 
be effected as the manifest will and choice of the majority of the Hawaiian people; 
and through means proper, peaceful, and honorable. 

It is evident, however, no steps will be taken to accomplish the object named 
without the proper sanction or approbation of the United States Government in ap- 
proval thereof. 

The Hawaiian people for fifty years have been under "educational instruction of 
American missionaries, and the civilizing influences of Ne*w England people, com- 
mercial and maritime. Hence they are Puritan and democratic in their ideas and 
tendencies, modified by a tropical climate. Their favorite songs and airs are Ameri- 
can. Shermans "Marching Through Georgia " and "John Brown's Soul is March- 
ing On,'' are daily heard in the streets and in their schoolrooms. The Fifteenth 
Amendment to the Constitution of the United States has made the project of annexa- 
tion to our Union more popular than ever, both here and in the United States. 

The native population is fast disappearing; the number existing is now estimated 
at 45,000, having decreased about 15.000 since the census of 1866. The number of 
foreigners in addition is between 5,000 and 6,000, two-thirds of whom are from the 
United States, and they own more than that proportion of foreign capital, as repre- 
sented in the agriculture,, commerce, navigation, and whale fisheries of the kingdom. 

This country and sovereignty will soon be left to the possession of foreigners, "to 
nnlineal hands, no sons of theirs succeeding." To what foreign nation shall these* 
isl; nds belong if not to the great Republic? At the present those of foreign nativi- 
ties hold all the important offices of Government and control legislation, the judi- 
ciary, etc. Well disposed as the Government now is toward the United States and 
its resident citizens here, in course of time it may be otherwise, as was the case dur- 
ing our civil war. 

I now proceed to state some points of a more general character, which should in- 
fluence the United States Government in their, decision of the policy of acquiring 
possession of this archipelago, their geographical position occupying, as it does, 
an important central, strategical point, in the North Pacific Ocean, valuable, perhaps 
necessary, to the United States for a naval depot and coaling station, and to shelter 
and protect our commerce and navigation, which in this hemisphere is destined to 
increase enormously from our intercourse with the 500,U00,000 population of China, 
Japan, and Australia. Humbolt predicted that the commerce on the Paciric would, 
in time, rival that on the Atlantic. A future generation, no doubt, will see the 
prophecy ful idled. 

The immense injury inflicted on American navigation and commerce by Great 
Britain in the war of 1812-1814, through her possessions of Bermuda and other West 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



259 



India Islands, as also that suffered by the English from French privateers from the 
Isle of Fra nee, during the wars between those nations, are instances in proof of the 
necessity of anticipating and preventing, when we can, similar evils that may issue 
from these islands if held by other powers. Their proximity to the Pacific States of 
the Union, line climate and soil, and tropical productions of sugar, coffee, rice, fruits, 
hides, goat-skins, salt, cotton, hue wool, etc., required by the West, in exchange for 
flour, grain, lumber, shooks, and manufactures of cotton, wool, iron, and other arti- 
cles, are evidence of the commercial value of one to the other region. 

Is it probable that any European power who may hereafter be at war with the 
United States will refrain from taking possession of this weak Kingdom, in view of 
the great injury that could be done to our commerce through their acquisition of 
them 1 

It is said that at a proper time the United States may have the sovereignty of these 
islands without money and without price, except, perhaps for purchase of the Crown 
and public lands, and moderate annuities to be given to the live or six high chiefs 
now living with uncertain claims as successors to the Crown. 

His Hawaiian Majesty, although only in his forty-first year, is liable to a sudden 
decease, owing to frequent attacks of difficulty in breathing and danger of suffocation 
from congestion caused by obesity. His weight is 300 pounds. He is sole survivor 
of the royal race of Kamehameha ; unmarried, no heir, natural or adopted; possessess 
the constitutional prerogative of naming his successor, but it is believed he will not 
exercise it, from a superstitious belief his own death would follow immediately the 
act. 

Prince Alexander and Lott Ka men am eh a (the former subsequently became the fourth 
Hawaiian King and the latter the fifth) and Dr. G. P. Judd, my informant, visited 
England in 1850 as Hawaiian commissioners. 

Lord Palmerston, at their interview with him, said, in substance, "that the British 
Government desired the Hawaiian people to maintain proper gOA^ernment and pre- 
serve national independence. If they were unable to do so, he recommended receiv- 
ing a protectorate government under the United States or by becoming an integral 
partof that nation. Such," he thought, "was the destiny of the Hawaiian Islands aris- 
ingfrom their proximity to the States of California and Oregon, and natural depend- 
ence on those markets for exports and imports, together with probable extinction of 
the Hawaiian aboriginal population and its substitution by immigration from the 
United States." That advice seems sound and prophetic. 

The following historical events in relation to these islands are thought worthy of 
revival in recollection: 

February 25, 1843. — Lord George Pan let, of Her Britannic Majesty's ship Carysfort, 
obtained, by forceful measures, cession of the Hawaiian Islands to the Government 
of Great Britain, July 31, 1843, They were restored to their original sovereignty by 
the British Admiral Thomas. 

November 28, 1843. — Joint convention of the English and French Governments, 
which acknowledged the independence of this archipelago, and reciprocally prom- 
ised never to take possession of any part of same. The United States Government 
was invited to be a party to the above, but declined. 

August, 1849. — Admiral Tromelin, with a French naval force, after making demands 
on the Hawaiin Government impossible to be complied with, took unresisted posses- 
sion of the fort and Government buildings in Honolulu, and blockaded the harbor. 
After a few weeks' occupation of the place, the French departed, leaving political 
affairs as they were previous to their arrival. 

January, 1851. — A French naval force again appeared at Honolulu, and threatened 
bombardment and destruction of the town. 

The King, Kamehameha HI, with the government, fearing it would be carried into 
effect, and in mortal dread of being brought under French rule, similar to that placed 
by the latter over Tahiti, of the Society Islands, executed a deed of cession of all the 
Hawaiian Islands and their sovereignty forever in favor of the United States of 
America. 

The document, in a sealed envelope, was placed in charge of Mr. Severance, United 
States commissioner here, with instructions to take formal official possession of the 
soil of these islands on occasion of the first hostile shot fired by the French. On 
learning the facts, the latter desisted further aggressive acts, and departed from the 
country. 

Since that period the French authorities have pursued a conciliatory course in 
their relations with the Hawaiian Government, and. fully of opinion, it is said, that 
a secret treaty exists between the United States Government and that of Hawaii, by 
which these islands pass into the possession of the former in case of aggressions made 
upon them thereafter by any hostile powers. 

In 1854 the administration of President Pierce authorized the United States com- 
missioner, Mr. Gregg, to negotiate a treaty with the Hawaiian authorities for the 
cession of the sovereignty of these islands to the United States; but Mr. Gregg sue- 



260 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



ceeded only in obtaining a protocol for a treaty, by which the United States were 
to extend a protectorate government over them. The matter in that form did not 
meet with ths approval of Mr. Secretary Marcy, and further negotiations ceased. 

I omitted to state in proper sequence that the deed of cession of 1851 was, by or- 
der of the Secretary of State, Mr. Webster, returned to the Hawaiian Government. 

In conclusion, I herewith inclose "Annual Review of the Agriculture and Com- 
merce of the Hawaiian Islands for the year 1870," published by the Pacific Commer- 
cial Advertiser, February 25, 1871. Additional copies will accompany my dispatch 
No. 102. Permit me to refer you to a lithographic map, published in 1867 by United 
States Bureau of Statistics, as showing in convenient form the relative position of 
these islands to the continents of America, Asia, etc. ; also, steamship lines radiat- 
ing therefrom. 

With great respect, your obedient, humble servant, 

Henry A. Pierce. 

Hon. Hamilton Fish, 

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. 

The failure from time to time to solve their difficulties by annexation 
served to continue a lively consideration of the subject of reciprocity 
as the second best solution; but the growing interests of the sugar 
States during nearly all of the first decade after the civil war were of 
sufficient influence to obstruct successfully any favorable consideration 
of such a treaty by this Government. The situation was frankly stated 
by Mr. Fish in an instruction of considerable length and importance on 
the 25th of March, 1873, in which, turning from reciprocity to annexa- 
tion, always a question "full of interest," he said: 

The position of the Sandwich Islands as an outpost fronting and commanding the 
whole of our possessions on the Pacific Ocean, gives to the future of those islands a 
peculiar interest to the Government and people of the United States. It is very 
clear that this Government can not be expected to assent to their transfer from their 
present control to that of any powerful maritime or commercial nation. Such trans- 
fer to a maritime power would ' threaten a military surveillance in the Pacific simi- 
lar to that which Bermuda has afforded in the Atlantic — the latter has been sub- 
mitted to from necessity, inasmuch as it was congenital with our Government — but 
we desire no additional similar outposts in the hands of those who may at some 
future time use them to our disadvantage. 

The condition of the Government of Hawaii and its evident tendency to decay 
and dissolution force upon us the earnest consideration of its future — possibly its 
near future. 

There seems to be a strong desire on the part of many persons in the islands, rep- 
resenting large interests and great wealth, to become annexed to the United- States. 
And while there are, as I have already said, many and influential persons in this 
country who question the policy of any insular acquisitions, perhaps even of any 
extension of territorial limits, there are also those of influence and of wise foresight 
who see a future that must extend the jurisdiction and the limits of this nation, aud 
that will require a resting spot in the midoeean, between the Pacific coast and the 
vast domains of Asia, which are now opening to commerce and Christian civilization. 

We are not in possession of information sufficiently accurate, and possibly not 
sufficiently extended, with respect to the population, trade, industry, resources, and 
debt, etc., of the Ha waiian Islands to decide the policy which must soon be con- 
sidered with respect to the relations they are to maintain toward this Government. 

You will, therefore, at the earliest date practicable, furnish me with full and accu- 
rate information upon the several questions above alluded to, and also as to the rel- 
ative condition of the islands at this time, with respect to each question as compared 
with former periods. 

If there be official documents or reports as to trade, population, debt, etc., you 
will obtain and transmit them. 

Should occasion offer, you will, without committing the Government to any line of 
policy, not discourage the feeling which may exist in favor of annexation to the 
United States; and you will cautiously and prudently avail of any opportunity that 
may present of ascertaining the views of the Hawaiian authorities on this question, 
and if there be any idea entertained in that direction among those in official position, 
you will endeavor to sound them and ascertain their views as to the manner, and 
the terms and conditions on which such project could be carried into execution. 

On the 3d of February, 1874, the King, Lunalilo, died without having 
named his successor, and the legislative assembly, called together by 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



261 



the cabinet, proceeded to the election of a monarch. The excitement 
incident to this event, the threats of violence by the contending fac- 
tions of the populace, and the danger of revolution or anarchy required 
the intervention of the naval forces of foreign powers in Hawaiian 
waters, the militia being unreliable in the circumstances. The British 
commissioner had invited the American minister to join him in effecting 
measures to preserve order, but this invitation was very properly de- 
clined by Mr. Pierce. On the 12th, in consequence of an assault by a 
mob of Queen Emma's adherents on the legislative committee attempt- 
ing to announce to David Kalakaua his election to the throne, and an 
attack upon the Government buildings, the Hawaiian minister for for- 
eign affairs appealed to Mr. Pierce to secure the landing of a sufficient 
force from the United States ships Tuscarora and Portsmouth to defend 
the authorities and suppress the rioters. The force was landed, at the 
request of the American representative, and placed in charge of the 
court-house. 

Shortly after — within a few minutes — a force of sailors and marines 
from H. B. M. S. Teniclos went ashore under command of the execu- 
tive officer of the vessel and the captain of the marines, without invita- 
tion from the Hawaiian authorities or orders from the commanding 
officers of their ship. They proceeded to disperse the lawless crowd 
about the residence of Queen Emma — the rival of Kalakaua for the 
throne — and thence marched to occupy the barracks, where they 
remained for eight days. This incident was afterwards accommodated 
by an antedated, note, formally requesting their intervention. On the 
20th these na#ral forces returned on board their respective vessels. 
(Appendix.) 

In the autumn of 1874 King Kalakaua visited the United States on. 
the U. S. S. Benicia, and, remaining several weeks, was during that 
time shown many friendly attentions by this Government. The U. S. 
S. Pensacola was placed at his disposal for the homeward voyage. One 
of the principal objects of this visit was the desire of the King to pro- 
mote negotiations of reciprocity with the United States. It is note- 
worthy that this visit of the King was opposed by the English and 
French commissioners, as reported by Mr. Pierce October 12, 1874. 
(Appendix.) 

The King before leaving Hawaii had appointed Mr. Allen afid Mr. 
Carter commissioners to negotiate a reciprocity agreement, and, greatly 
to the delight of his people, the treaty was signed at Washington Jan- 
uary 30, 1875. It contained a schedule which, to be made effective, re- 
quired an act of Congress in ratification of the customs dues fixed there- 
by, and a proclamation of the fact. The treaty went into effect by this 
proclamation September 9, 1876. (Appendix.) 

Some difficulty was encountered with Great Britain by reason of the 
u parity " or " favored nation " clause in the treaty of 1852 between that 
power and Hawaii 5 and Germany was also at first disposed to take a 
view similar to the English in that respect. But the German claim 
was successfully contested by Mr. Carter, appointed to arrange the 
matter with those two Governments, and the construction given that 
clause by the United States agreed to substantially. Much correspon- 
dence followed the expression of England's views on the subject, and a 
compromise was proposed fixing a duty of 10 per centum on British 
importations of the articles in the free schedule of our treaty. This 
proposition was not accepted by Mr. Carter, and was withdrawn; but 
in the discussion of the matter in the Hawaiian Legislature a majority 
of the committee on foreign relations reported not only in its favor, but 



262 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



in favor of the original claim of the British Government to the enjoy- 
ment of privileges equal to those granted the United States. The con - 
troversy led to a change of ministry, and finally to an admission by the 
King's minister of the claim of this Government to exclusive privileges, 
and a pledge to hold the treaty, so interpreted, inviolate. This episode 
involved an " annexation scare" as against the United States, touch- 
ing which Mr. Evarts thus instructed our minister, Mr. Comly, August 
6, 1878: 

You will endeavor to disabuse the minds of those who impute to the United States 
any idea of further projects beyond the present treaty. (Appendix.) 

Prom time to time during the ensuing three years questions of inter- 
pretation of articles on the schedule and of the customs provisions of 
the treaty, and some involving attempted or apprehended frauds arose, 
several of them complicated by claims of Great Britain under the stipu- 
lations of the Anglo-Hawaiian treaty of 1852, and by the influence of 
British residents. All these questions were, however, satisfactorily 
determined without resort to any other mode of arrangement than the 
usual diplomatic method, by notes. A domestic scandal, involving al- 
most the entire Government, followed, resulting in rapid changes of 
ministers and a hasty request for the recall of foreign representatives, 
including Mr. Comly; This request was, however, itself recalled 
promptly after the last change of cabinet on account of this particular 
crisis, and a more agreeable state of affairs brought about. The details 
of these incidents are, however, hardly worthy of any notice, as they 
serve chiefly to establish the disreputable character of certain of the 
King's advisers at the time, to verify charges of general corruption in 
the legislature, and point to influences at work against an extension of 
our reciprocity treaty.* 

The same year the good offices of this Government were solicited by 
the Hawaiian Evangelical Association, in the suppression of the liquor 
traffic, by the enforcement of Chief Lebon's ordinance in the Bnlik Is- 
lands. Mr. Evarts, on November 13, 1880, instructed Mr. Comly, and 
Mr. Dawson, the United States consul at Apia, also, to make efforts to 
secure some suitable person to act as consular agent of this Govern- 
ment in the Baliks. (Appendix.) 

The good offices of this Government were enlisted also in the nego- 
tiation 1 of a treaty between Hawaii and Japan, and its approval of such 
a convention sought by the king's minister for foreign affairs. 

In June, 1881, Mr. Comly reported the persistent effort of Great 
Britain to derive benefit or advantage from the parity clause of the 
Anglo-Hawaiian treaty of 1852, through the reciprocity treaty with the 
United States, by way of pushing claims based upon that clause pend- 
ing its termination by notification. He wrote: . 

I do not propose to trouble the Secretary of State with a repetition of rny arguments 
intended to show the inadmissible character of this claim, and showing- also that in 
1855, when a reciprocal treaty with the United States was pending, the then British 
Commissioner here (Gen. Miller), acting under direct instructions from Lord 
Clarendon, literally " gave away " the whole case as to this present claim. He says : 
u Great Britain can not, as a matter of right, claim the same advantages for her trade, 
under the strict letter of the treaty of 1852." (Quoted more at length and in his own 
words in my dispatch No. 13.) 

For the convenience of the Secretary of State I present a brief itinerary of the 
progress of this claim up to date, as I understand it: 

1. Immediately after the reciprocity treaty went into effect, Maj. Wodehouse, the 
British Commissioner, peremptorily notified the Hawaiian Government that 11 Her 
Majesty's Government can not allow of" any discrimination against British products 



* See Mr. Comly's 113, 121, and 122; and Mr. Evart's 76 and 78. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



263 



as in favor of American, and that British importers would claim under their treaty, 
for British products, equality with American products, under the American reciproc- 
ity treaty. A long diplomatic correspondence followed, in which I was frequently 
consulted in a, friendly way by the Hawaiiau minister, and was notified from time 
to time by Maj. Wodehouse of his proceedings. I have uniformly insisted that it 
would be a violation of the reciprocity treaty to allow the same privileges to British 
or any other products with those of the United States — privileges purchased by 
reciprocity advantages beyond the power of any other nation to concede. I have 
also insisted that it would amount to a violatiou of the sovereignty of this Kingdom 
for Great Britain to assume to dictate to the Hawaiian Government what differential 
rate of customs should be levied upon British goods as compared with those of other 
countries, taxation being an incident of sovereignty. 

2. Finding that the British Government insisted upon its claim, the Hawaiian Gov- 
ernment gave one year's notice (under the seventeenth article), terminating the 
fourth, fifth, and sixth articles of the Anglo-Hawaiian treaty of 1851-'52. (This would 
take effect July 3, 1878.) 

3. This was resented by the British Government as "unfriendly " action. 

4. Mr. Henry A. P. .Carter was sent as Hawaiian envoy to England to settle the 
dispute. Major Wodehouse, alarmed by threats of annexation to the United States 
rather than submit to the demands of Great Britain, accompanied Mr. Carter to San 
Francisco, Avhere he applied for and received telegraphic leave from Lord Derby to 
proceed to England with Mr. Carter. 

5. In London Lord Derby proposed to Mr. Carter that England would drop the 
whole matter if the Hawaiian Government would withdraw its denunciation of the 
fourth, fifth, and sixth articles, and would attach the free schedule of the American 
treaty to an agreement that none of the articles in that schedule should be taxed 
more than 10 per cent if British product rejected. (My dispatch No. 43 is full on this 
and subsequent points.) 

6. The notice of discontinuance was withdrawn as to all but first paragraph of 
fourth article. 

7. In legislative assembly of 1878, a large and noisy party of British sympathizers 
attacked the Government severely and threatened the reciprocity treaty so seriously 
that I wrote a note of warning and protest to the minister of foreign affairs (appeal s 
as inclosure No. 4 with my disjiatch No. 43) which was subsequently approved 
by Mr. Evarts Secretary of State. 

8. The Hawaiian treaty was amended substantially as suggested by Lord Derby 
(10 per cent ad valorem horizontal). It was supposed that this would end the mat- 
ter of the British Claims, but 

9. About the beginning of the present year, Mr. Theo. H. Davies, acting British 
consul general, a merchant doing large business here and one of the claimants, 
wrote (unofficially) to the minister of nuance on behalf of the claimants, demand- 
ing a refund of duties paid under protest pending the termination of the first clause 
in the fourth article of the British treaty. 

10. The minister of finance referred the claimants to the Hawaiian courts. 

11. The British commissioner then made official demand for diplomatic(executive) 
settlement. 

12. The Hawaiian mininister informed Major Wodehouse that he would lay the 
matter before cabinet council. 

The minister of foreign affairs informed Major Wodehouse that the action of the 
minister of finance was sustained by cabinet council, and that the claimants were 
remanded to the courts accordingly. 

14. Major Wodehouse replied that he could not accept that form and would report 
to his Government for further instructions. 

15. The Hawaiian minister wrote a brief note, simply acknowledging Major Wode- 
house's note without comment. 

16. Major Wodehouse wrote a severe reply, complaining that the Hawaiian min- 
ister had omitted to say that he would give due consideration to Major Wodehouse's 
note, or words to that effect. 

17. I am informed by a member of the cabinet that the minister (Mr. Green) will 
make a brief and dignified protest against the tone of Major Wodehouse's not- , and 
will say (substantially) that, Major W. having been already fully notified that the 
matter had been considered by His Majesty's Government and the claimants referred 
to the courts, and he himself having notified the Hawaiian Government that he had 
referred the matter to the British secretary, then, in that case, there was nothing- 
further to consider at present, "and Major Wodehouse's complaint was without 
foundation. 

Here the matter rests. 

This dispatch drew from Mr. Blaine, June 30, 1881, an explicit in- 
struction setting forth the views of this Government as to the impossi- 



264 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



bility of a grant by, the Hawaiian Government of any of the privileges 
exclusively given the United States by the treaty of 1875 without a 
violation of that treaty. He said : 

You will add that, if any other power should deem it proper to employ undue in- 
fluence upon the Hawaiian Government to persuade or compel action in derogation of 
this treaty, the Government of the United States will not be unobservant of its rights 
and interests and will be neither unwilling nor unprepared to support the Hawaiian 
Government in the faithful discharge of its treaty obligations. (Appendix.) 

The Revival of the subject of coolie immigration from British India 
and an expression of the views of the British commissioner at Hono- 
lulu respecting the means by which such immigration should be pro- 
moted and such immigrants protected and controlled, together with a 
resuscitation, by Major Wodehouse, of the Lackawanna incident, and the 
adhesive character of the British claims arising from the reciprocity 
treaty, were together the moving cause of considerable correspondence 
designed to instruct the United States minister very fully respecting the 
established and continued policy of this Government. On December 
1, 1881, Mr. Blaine said: 

It [this Government] firmly believes that the position of the Hawaiian Islands a* 
the key to the dominion of the American Pacific demands their benevolent neutrality, 
to which end it will earnestly cooperate with The native Government. And if, 
through any cause, the maintenance of such a position of benevolent neutrality 
should be found by Hawaii to be impracticable, this Government would then unhesi- 
tatingly meet the altered situation by seeking an avowedly American solution for 
the grave issues presented. (Appendix.) 

In 1883 the Government of the United States was invited to concur 
in a protest by the Hawaiian Government against the extension of their 
respective territories by Great Britain and France in Polynesia, by an- 
nexation of the New Hebrides, the Solomon Islands, and adjacent 
groups. Mr. Frelinghuysen on December 6, 1883, declined to concur, 
because, as he wrote, 4i while we could not * * * view with com- 
placency any movement tending to the extinction of the national life of 
the intimately connected commonwealths of the Northern Pacific, the 
attitude of this Government towards the distant outlying groups of 
Polynesia is necessarily different; 1 ' and he added that the President 
"does not regard the matter as one calling for the interposition of the 
United States, either to oppose or support the suggested measure." 
(Appendix.) 

In the same year the reciprocity treaty between the United States 
and Hawaii reached the limit of its duration, subject to twelve months 7 
notice from either power to the other of its desire to terminate the com- 
pact. Negotiations looking to the extension of this agreement were set 
on foot by the Hawaiian Government and the project was discussed in 
Congress and in the diplomatic correspondence with the ultimate result 
of a convention of renewal, etc., concluded December 0,1881, at Wash- 
ington, in three articles, of which Article I renewed the treaty for a 
period of seven years and Articles n and in provided, respectively : 

Article II. 

HisMajesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands grants to the Government of the United 
States the exclusive right to enter the harhor of Pearl River, in the Island of Oahu, 
and to establish and maintain there a coaling and repair station for the use of vessels 
of the United States, and to that end the United States may improve the entrance 
to said harbor and do all other things needful to the purpose aforesaid. 

Article III. 

The present convention shall he ratified and the ratifications exchanged at Wash- 
ington as soon as possible. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



265 



The convention was not however ratified and proclaimed until No- 
vember, 1887, owing to considerable opposition to the extension of the 
original compact by the sugar interests of this country and further dis- 
cussion of the subject in Congress. The extension of the treaty and 
the Pearl River Harbor cession were also opposed by Great Britain 
as the general policy of that Government. (Appendix.) 

In May, 1873, Gen. Schofield, under confidential instructions from 
the Secretary of War, made a full report upon the value of Pearl River 
Harbor as a coaling and repair station, recommending its acquisition, 
and later he appeared before a committee of the House of Representa- 
tives to urge the importance of some measure looking to the control of 
the Sandwich Islands by the United States. (Appendix.) 

The question of connecting the islands by cable with Australia and 
the United States was i)resented to this Government by our minister 
in August, 1884, by his report of proposals of the Australasian Cable 
Syndicate in relation to the laying of an ocean cable from Brisbane to 
San Francisco, via Honolulu. This syndicate secured the introduction 
and passage of an act by the Hawaiian legislature providing a subsidy 
of not more than $20,000 for a period limited to fifteen years. Owing 
to the failure to secure landing privileges at San Francisco before 1880 
this act was then amended so as to provide for the landing of the cable 
at any other port or place on the North American continent, presum- 
ably in the interest of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company's tele- 
graphic system. While the sentiment in the islands favored a terminus 
in the United States, the project of Mr. Coote, a British subject, was a 
terminus in British Columbia. Further legislation on the subject drew 
from the British commissioner a protest against the granting of exclu- 
sive privileges to any persons for the landing of a cable from any 
British territory on any of the Hawaiian Islands and the assertion on 
the part of the King's Government of their right to control the matter as 
they believed best. In 1891-'92 a cable survey was made by the U. S. 
S. Albatross, of the Fish Commission, and lines of sounding were run 
from the Californian coast, Salinas Landing, Monterey Bay, to Honolulu. 

In 1886 a bill was passed by the legislature and approved by the 
King to negotiate a loan of $2,1)00,000 and pledge the revenues of the 
Kingdom for its repayment. An English syndicate had the matter in 
charge. Its objects were the liquidation of certain outstanding bonds 
and the prosecution of domestic improvements. The loan under such 
conditions was successfully orjposed by this Government under the 
exclusive privileges granted the United States by the reciprocity treaty. 
(Appendix.) 

Early in 1887 the subject of a proposed treaty of political alliance or 
confederation between the Hawaiian and Samoan Kings was brought 
to the attention of this Government with a view to its advice and its 
approval of the project ; but Mr. Bayard pointed out the inexpediency 
of such a compact and withheld approval. (Apx^endix.) 

On the 23d of December, 1887, the minister of Great Britain at 
Washington handed the following memorandum to Mr. Bayard: 

"Washington, December S3, 1887. 
_ England and France by the convention of November 28, 1843, are bound to con- 
sider tbe Sandwich Islands as an independent state and never to take possession, 
either directly or under the title of a protectorate or any other form, of any part of 
the territory of which they are composed. 

The best way to secure this object would, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Govern- 
ment, be that the powers chiefly interested in the trade of the Pacific should join in 
making a formal declaration similar to that of 1843 above alluded to, and that the 



266 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



United States Government should, with England and Germany, guarantee the neu- 
trality and equal accessibility of the islands and their harbors to the ships of all 
nations without preference. 

To this communication Mr. Bayard replied: 

Personal.] . Department of State, 

Washington, February 15, 18S8. 
Dear Sir Lionel: After reading the memorandum of Lord Salisbury in relation 
to the Sandwich Islands, it does not occur to me that I can add anything to what I 
stated to you orally in our interview on the 23d of December last, when you first 
sent it to me. 

I was glad to find that you quite understood and had conveyed to your Govern- 
ment the only significance and meaning of the Pearl Harbor concession by the 
Hawaiian Government, as provided in the late treaty of that Government with the 
United States, and that it contained nothing to impair the political sovereignty of 
Hawaii. 

The existing treaties of the United States and Hawaii create, as you are aware, 
special and important reciprocities, to Avhich the present material prosperity of 
Hawaii may be said to owe its existence, and by one of the articles the cession of 
any part of the Hawaiian territory to any other government without the consent of 
the United States is inhibited. 

In view of such existing arrangements it does not seem needful for the United 
States to join with other governments in their guaranties to secure the neutrality of 
Hawaiian territory, nor to provide for that equal accessibility of all nations to those 
j)orts which now exists. ^ 
I am, etc., 

T. F. Bayard. 

The direct and immediate motive of Great Britain in this correspond- 
ence is not evident ; but it is obviously to be discovered in certain closely 
anterior events, sufficiently well known at the time. But a little while 
before an understanding had been reached between England and Ger- 
many relative to a division of a great area of the Pacific Ocean; the 
attitude then lately assumed by this Government respecting Samoan 
affairs had perhaps been the cause of some surprise and, it may be, a 
little apprehension in this direction on the part of Her Majesty's Gov- 
ernment, and the frankness with Which we shall see the British consul- 
general in Hawaii cautioning the King's Government against any ex- 
clusive concession of a naval station to any foreign power is no less 
useful a key to the action .of Sir Lionel West. The causes, then, of 
this step were complicated; jealousy of the United States led to the 
inclusion of this Government in a project for an agreement prompted 
by jealousy of Germany, and France was relegated to the convention 
of 1843 by force of more pressing circumstances. 

While Mr. Bayard, in February, 1888, was writing his answer to Sir 
Lionel, the British commissioner at Honolulu, formally protested against 
the grant to the United States of the exclusive use of Pearl Eiver Har- 
bor as a coaling and repair station, by Article II of the supplementary 
convention extending our reciprocity treaty, and argued that the 
Hawaiian Government was estopped from this action by the provisions 
of Article II of the King's treaty with Great Britain, granting to vessels 
of war liberty of entry to all harbors to which such, ships of other 
nations " are or may be permitted to come." And he said: 

Under instructions from Her Majesty's Government I have already pointed out to 
the Government of His Hawaiian Majesty that the acquisition by a foreign power 
of a harbor, or preferential concession in the Hawaiian Islands." would infallibly 
lead to the loss of the independence of the islands: but this consideration has not. 
prevented His Hawaiian Majesty's Government from proceeding to the ratification 
of the supplementary convention with the United States, and although Her Maj- 
esty's Government are informed that by an exchange of notes between the Hawaiian 
minister at Washington and Mr. Bayard it is declared that the article in question 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



267 



(No. 11) does not subtract from Hawaiian jurisdiction ; that it gives no right of 
property in the harbor or cession of territory; that no exclusive right is conferred 
commercially, and that it terminates with the original treaty of 1875, whenever 
notice of such a termination is given. (Appendix.) 

The question was ably treated by the Hawaiian minister for foreign 
affairs, and the privileges granted this Government clearly denned. 
(Appendix.) 

On the 30th of July, 1889, an insurrection was set on foot by Robert 
W. Wilcox and Robert Boyd, two half-caste Hawaiians, who, on the 
afternoon of the same day, together with their adherents, about 100 in 
number, were defeated. The ringleader, with about 60 of his followers, 
was imprisoned. About 70 sailors and marines from the U. S. S. Adams, 
then in the harbor, were landed by permission with a machine gun to 
protect life and property at the legation and in the city, and their ap- 
pearance on the streets had a favorable effect on the populace. Re- 
maining over night, quartered at the armory, they returned on board 
the next morning when tranquility was restored. (Appendix.) 

A dispute between the King and the cabinet, of a constitutional scope, 
was decided by the supreme court, against the King, just after the 
attempt at revolution 5 audit was determined that his signature was 
subject to the direction of the cabinet whenever required on public 
documents, and that the. Government in all its departments must be 
conducted by that council. This controversy received the attentive 
consideration of all the foreign representatives, and its termination, as 
recited, appears to have been accepted with general satisfaction. 

On the 20th of March, 1890, Mr. Blaine wrote inviting the King of 
the Hawaiian Islands to participate in the International American Con- 
ference, then in session at Washington. This invitation was extended 
in pursuance of a resolution of Congress adopted upon the President's 
recommendation. In consequence of the adjournment of the Conference 
sine die before Mr. Carter, the delegate from Hawaii, could present his 
credentials, he did not participate in its deliberations. Upon Mr. * 
Blaine's invitation, however, Mr. Carter, on the 28th of April, after the 
adjournment, announced his appointment as delegate and expressed his 
regret at its arrival too late to permit his attendance on the Conference ; 
but at the same time signified the probable accession of his Government 
to its conclusions. 

In December, 1890, Kalakaua, the King, arrived in the United States 
on a friendly visit, and died at San Francisco, January 20, 1891. His 
body was returned to Honolulu on board the U. S. S. Charleston, the 
flagship of Rear- Admiral Brown, which arrived in that harbor January 
29; whereupon the Princess Liliuokalani, regent daring the King's 
absence, was proclaimed Queen. (Appendix.) 

Considerable doubt and fear seem to have prevailed with the better 
element of the people in regard to the course of the new Queen, as 
the matter is reported by Mr. Stevens. On the 22d of February, 1891, 
he wrote: 

The present ministry has been hut a few months in office and the best men of 
the islands, including nearly all the principal business men, wish the present min- 
istry to remain, who, by the present constitution, are chiefly independent of the 
Crown, and can not be removed except by impeachment or by the votes of the 
legislature. Under her extreme notions of sovereignty and the influence of her bad 
advisers, the Queen is trying to force the resignation of the ministers and to get 
a cabinet composed of her tools. So far the ministers have refused to resign, 
and the best public opinion increases in their support. Should the supreme court 
sustain the right of the ministers, which is very clearly and strongly intrenched in 
the constitution, the ministers will be supported by such a united determination 
of the business men and other better citizens of the islands as will force the 



268 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Queen to yield. If she should still persist and attempt to form a ministry of her own, 
without the consent of the legislature, she will surely imperil her throne." She is 
well known to be much more stubborn in character than her brother, the late King, 
but my present belief is that she will finally yield to the legal and other legitimate 
forces operative against her present course and place herself in the hands of the 
conservative and respectable men of the country as the only way to retain her 
throne. 

Early in the spring of 1891 the supreme court decided that the Cabi- 
net of the late King ceased to have legal existence at his death. A 
new Cabinet was appointed which seemed to give general satisfaction 
and somewhat to allay earlier apprehensions touching the probable 
course of the Queen. Mr. Stevens, however, expressed some lack of 
faith in the minister of finance. 

In September, 1891, Mr. Stevens wrote that the prince consort, hus- 
band of Queen Liliuokalani, a native of New York and strongly 
American in his sympathies, had died August 27, 1891. 

At the same time the minister reported a project for a revision of the 
reciprocity treaty between this Government and Hawaii, prompted by 
the removal of the tariff on sugar, which materially, if not vitally, 
affected the principal interests of the, islands. Late in 1891, Mr. Mott 
Smith was appointed a special envoy to the United States to negotiate 
such an agreement, and a legislature favorable to the treaty was elected 
in February, 1892. 

In a confidential communication of March 8, 1892, Mr. Stevens re- 
ports revolutionary juans to be held in check solely by the presence of 
an United States naval vessel, and describes a very general sentiment 
of hostility to the succession of the "half English" heir to the throne — 
at the time being educated in England — and a growing inclination 
among all classes towards annexation to the United States. (Appendix.) 

Mr. Stevens's dispatches continue to be of the same tenor. The sub- 
jection of the queen to the influences of a half-caste Tahitian of the 
, name of Wilson, and marshal of the Kingdom, since soon after her ac- 
cession, continued to excite considerable dissatisfaction, and revolu- 
tionary schemes were rife throughout the year. The attitude of the 
Queen and her immediate entourage was one of arrogance. Late in 
August or early in September the cabinet was voted ont, and a dead- 
lock followed between the Queen and the legislature. The new cabinet 
was objectionable to the better elements, but a vote of want of confi- 
dence sufficiently decisive to bring on the crisis was not secured until 
the 17th October. The minister said in his dispatch of October 19, 
1892, on the situation — 

My present impression is, that the Queen and her faction will have to yield. 
Othenvise the entire overthrow of the monarchy could not be long delayed. 

In his No. 74, of November 20, Mr. Stevens gave a full statement of 
the financial, agricultural, social, and political condition of the islands, 
and said : 

One of two courses seems to me absolutely necessary to be followed: Either bold 
and vigorous measures for annexation or a " customs union/' an ocean cable from the 
Californian coast to Honolulu, Pearl Harbor perpetually ceded to the United States, 
with an implied but not necessarily stipulated American protectorate over the islands. 

Eeportsto the Secretary of the Navy — especially those beginning 
with one from Eear-Admirl Brown, dated September 6, 1892 — corrob- 
orated the American minister's accounts and forecasts of events in Ha- 
waii until, on the 28th of January, telegraphic news was received from 
both sources of the accomplishment of a peaceful revolution at Hono- 
lulu and the dethronement of the Queen. (Appendix.) 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



269 



The correspondence examined in the preparation of tins report in 
dicates the general policy of this Government towards the Hawaiian 
Islands to have been, from 1820 to 1893, one of close friendship and 
protection, prompted by a desire for the welfare and autonomy of the 
islands and a careful preservation of American rights and territory on 
this continent. The active intervention of foreign powers in the affairs 
of Hawaii is shown to have been uniformly regarded with distrust, and 
a determined attitude against it seems to have been frankly assumed 
whenever occasion called for an expression of purpose upon the subject 
from the United States* This view of the common interests of the two . 
countries several times contemplated annexation as a necessity under 
apprehended foreign encroachment at Honolulu, and once, if not more 
than once, as the positive policy of this Government — notably in the 
administration of President Pierce. 

Respectfully submitted. 

Andrew H. Allen, 
Chief) Bureau of Rolls and Library. 

[The narrative of events from the 17th of January, 1893, is continued 
in the report accompanying the President's message of February 15, 
1893, sending to the Senate the treaty concluded and signed at Wash- 
ington, February 14, 1893, by the Secretary of State of the United 
States and the representatives of the Provisional Government of the 
Hawaiian Islands.] 



APPENDIX. 



The time and assistance available in the preparation of the foregoing 
report and this appendix have not been sufficient to render a full pres- 
entation of the correspondence involved practicable here. The pur- 
pose of this supplement therefore is to give a general view of the 
progress of events and to submit copies of all papers of ascertained 
importance to a clear understanding and reenforcement of the narrative, 
except those published in the volumes of Foreign Relations of the 
United States and other volumes, to which reference is noted in a 
bibliographical paragraph. 

It has been deemed neither necessary nor advisable to touch upon 
the subject of private claims of the citizens or subjects of either 
country against the government of the other, as none of the claims 
adverted to in the consular or diplomatic correspondence appears to 
have become at any time matter of special or separate negotiation or 
to have reached a position of adequate moment to demand any further 
action than the exercise of good offices by the diplomatic representa- 
tive of the Government of the claimant. 

Three unperfected treaties described in the correspondence are de- 
posited in this Bureau, those of 1849, 1855, and 1867, respectively. 

A considerable volume of correspondence upon Hawaiian relations will 
be found in the archives of the Navy Department, should it be regarded 
as desirable to examine letters of naval officers of the United States in 
support or elaboration of the consular and diplomatic letters given or 
referred to in the list of papers. 

The present report and appendix bring the narrative down to the 
revolution of January 17, 1803, from which point it is continued in the 
report accompanying the President's message of February 15, 1893, 
sending to the Senate the treaty concluded and signed at Washington, 
February 14, 1893, by the Secretary of State of the United States and 
the representatives of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian 
Islands. 

A list of papers, chronologically arranged, follows, and is, in its turn, 
followed by a brief subject index for more convenient reference. 

A. II. A. 

Bureau of Rolls AND LmKARY, February 14, 1893, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



271 



LIST OF PAPERS. 
[The arrangement is chronological.] 

Treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation between the United States and the 

Sandwich Islands, signed at Honolulu, December 23, 1826. 
Letter to the Secretary of the Navy from Thomas ap Catesby Jones, December 25, 

1826. Extract. 

Extract of letter to William Bolton Finch, IT. S. S. Vwcennes, January 20, 1829. 
Treaty between Great Britain and Hawaii of November 16, 1836, signed at Hono- 
lulu. 

Treaty between France and Hawaii, signed at Honolulu, July 12, 1839. 
Treaty between France and Hawaii, signed at Honolulu, July 17, 1839. 
Message of the President of December 31, 1842. (H. R. Ex. Doc. No. 35, Twenty- 
seventh Congress, third session.) 
Commercial Agent William Hooper's, No. 22, March 7, 1843. 
Commercial Agent William Hooper's, No. 23, March 11, 1843. 
Commercial Agent William Hooper's, No. 28, August 15, 1843. 
Mr. Webster to Mr. Brown, No. 7, March 15, 1843. 
Commercial Agent Hooper's No. 28, August 15, 1843. 
Mr. Brown to Mr. Webster, No. 5, October 26, 1843. 
Mr. Brown to Mr. Webster, No. 6, November 4, 1843. 

Declaration of Great Britain and France relating to independence of islands, London, 

November 28, 1843. ' 
Mr. Calhoun to Mr. Brown, No. 4, January 20, 1845. 

Treaty of peace, amity, and commerce between France and Hawaii, signed at Hono- 
lulu, March 26, 1846. 
Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Ten Eyck, August 28, 1848. 
Article 6, treaty with France of July 17, 1849. 
Mr. Ten Eyck to Mr. Buchanan, No. 55, September 3, 1849. 
Mr. Turrill to Mr. Clayton, No. 30, September 4, 1849. 

Treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation between the United States and 

Hawaiian Islands, concluded at Washington 20th December, 1849. 
Messrs. Jucld and Jarves to Mr. Clayton, May 30, 1850. 
Mr. Clayton to Messrs. Judd and Jarves, June 3, 1850. 
Mr. Clayton to Mr. Rives, No. 15, July 5, 1850. 
Mr. Rives to Mr. Webster, No. 49, September 12, 1850. 
Mr. Severance to Mr. Webster, No. 6, March 11, 1851. 
Mr. Webster to Mr. Rives, No. 28, June 19, 1851. 
Joint resolution of the nobles and representatives of June 21, 1CD1. 
Mr. Rives to Mr. W T ebster, No. 95, July 8, 1851. 
Mr. Webster to Mr. Severance, No. 4, July 14, 1851. 
Confidential, Mr. Webster to Mr. Severance, July 14, 1851. 
Mr. Rives to Mr. Webster, No. 97, July 22, 1851. 
Mr. Rives to Mr. Seward, No. 109, October 30, 1851. 
Mr. Marcy to Mr. Mason, No. 3, December 16, 1853. 
Message of the President of March 3, 1854. 
Treaty of reciprocity, unperfected, 1855. 

(Bureau of Rolls and Library, Department of State.) 

Mr. McBride to Mr. Seward, No. 9, October 9, 1863. 

Mr. Seward to Mr. McBride, No. 10, January 14, 1864. 

Message of the President. February 5, 1864. 

Mr. McBride to Mr. Seward, No. 37, September 16, 1864. 

Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward, No. 6. September 8, 1866. 

Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward, private, June 7, 1867. 

Mr. Seward to Mr. McCook, No. 33, July 13, 1867. 

Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward, No. 31, August 5, 1867. 

Mr. Seward to Mr. McCook, confidential, September 12, 1867. 

Mr. Seward to Mr. McCook, No. 36, October 5, 1867. 

Mr. Seward to Mr. Spalding, No. 42, July 5, 1868. 

Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward, No. 54, August 14, 1868, with inclosuro. 

Message of President Johnson, December 9, 1868. 

Mr. Z. S. Spalding to Mr. Spalding, April 14, 1869. 

Mr. McCook and Mr. De Varigny, notes of conversations, September 14, 1869, and Mr. 

McCook and the King. 
Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish. No, 189, February 7, 1873. 
Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 190. February 10, 1873. 
Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 191^ February 17, 1873. 



272 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Gen. Schofield to Gen. Belknap, May 8, 1873. 
Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 241. February 11, 1874. 
Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 243,' February 17, 1874. 
Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 245, February 20, 1874. 
Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 291, October 12, 1874. 

Treaty between the United States and the Hawaiian Islands, Commercial Eeciproc 
ity, January 30, 1875. 

Treaty: Protocol of Conference, September 9, 1876. (Ratification of Commercial 
Keciprocity.) 

Mr. Evarts to Mr. Coinly, No. 28. August 6, 1878. (See Foreign Eelations of the United 

States. 1878.) 
Mr. Evarts to Mr. Comly, No. 81, November 13, 1880. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Conily, No. 102, June 30, 1881. (See Foreign Eelations of the United 
States, 1881.) 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Comly, No. 113, December 1, 1881. (See Foreign Eelations of the 

United States, 1881.) 
Confidential, Mr. Blaine to Mr. Comly, December 1, 1881. 

Mr. Frelinghuvsen to Mr. Daggett, No. 42, December6, 1883. (See Foreign Eelations 

- of the United States, 1883.) 
Treaty: Hawaiian Islands Supplementary Convention, December 6, 1884. Eeciproc- 

ity and Pearl Eiver Harbor Cession. 
Mr. Merrill to Mr. Bayard, No. 78, September 2, 1886. 
Mr. Merrill to Mr. Bayard, No. 85, October 19, 1886. 
Mr. Hastings to Mr. Bayard, No. 89, October 28, 1886. 

Mr. Bayard to Mr. Merrill, No. 52, July 12, 1887. (See Foreign Eelations of the 
United States, 1887.) 

Mr. Merrill to Mr. Bavard, No. 173, February 24, 1888. (See Foreign Eelations of the 
United States, 1888.) 

Treaty: Parcels Post Convention between the United States and the Hawaiian King- 
dom, December 19, 1888. 
Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine, No. 255, August 1, 1889. 
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 46, Februarv 8, 1892. 
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 48, March 8* 1892. 
Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Navy. September 6, 1892. 
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 74, November 20, 1892. 
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. No. 65, September 14, 1892. 
Capt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navv, October 12. 1892. 
€apt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navy, October 20, 1892. 
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. No. 72, October 31. 8892. 
Capt. Wiltse to the' Secretary of the Navv, November 1, 1892. 
('apt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navy, November 9. 1892. 

Message of the President, February 6, 1893. Sen. Ex. Doc. No. 45, 52d Cong. 2d scss- 



ADDENDA. 

Treaty of amity, commerce, and unavigation, unperfected, 1849. (Bureau of Eolls 
and Library. Department of State.) 

Treaty of reciprocity, unperfected, 1867. (Bureau of Eolls and Library, Depart- 
ment of State.) 



SUBJECT INDEX. 

Annexation to the United States : 

Mr. Severance to Mr. Webster. No. 6. March 11, 1851. 

Mr. Webster to Mr. Severance, July 4, 1851 (confidential). 

Mr. Marcy to Mr. Mason, No. 3, December 16. 1853. 

Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward, No. 6, September 3, 1866. 

Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward (private), June 7, 1867. 

Mr. Seward to Mr. McCook. No. 33, July 13, 1867. 

Mr. Seward to Mr. McCook (confidential), September 12, 1867. 

Mr. Seward to Mr. Spalding. No. 42, July 5. 1868. 

Mr. Z. S. Spaulding to Mr. Spaulding, April 14, 1869. 

Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish. No. 189. February 7. 1873. 

Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 191. February 17. 1873. 

Gen. Scholield to Gen. Belknap. May S. 1873. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. No. 46. February 8, 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 48, March 8," 1892. 

Admiral Brown to Secretary of Navy, September 6, 1892. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



273 



Annexation to the United States — Continued. 

Capt. Wiltse to the Secretary of Navy, October 12, 1892. 
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 74, November 20, 1892. 

Message of the President, February 6, 1893 (Sen. Ex. Doc. No. 45, Fifty-second 
Congress, secoud session). 

See Foreign Relations of the United States, 1881. 
Cession of territory to the United States : 

Proclamation of Kamehameha III of March 10, 1851. 

Mr. Severance to Mr. Webster, No. 6, March 11, 1851. 

Mr. McBride to Mr. Seward, No. 37, September 16, 1864. 

Mr. McCook and the King — conversation, September 14, 1869. 
Coolie trade : 

Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward. No. 54, August 14, 1868, with inclosure. 

See Foreign Eelations of the United States, 1873, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1885, 1888, 1889. 
Declaration of Great Britain and France relative to independence of islands, Lon- 
don, November 28, 1843. 
Hawaiian Islands : 

Statement of financial, agricultural, social, and political conditions. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 74, November 20, 1892. 
Independence of islands: 

Declaration of Great Britain and France, London, November 28, 1843. 

Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Ten Eyck, August 28, 1848. 

Mr. Webster to Mr. Severance, No. 4, July 14, 1851. 

Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Ten Eyck, August 28, 1818. 

Mr. Rives to Mr. Webster, No. 97, July 22, 1851. 

Mr. Rives to Mr. Seward, No. 109, October 30, 1851. 
Japanese reciprocity treaty : 

Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward, No. 32, August 5, 1867. 
Kalakaua, King — death of, in the United States — (Foreign Relations United States, 
1891). 

" Lackawanna" (incident) : 

Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward, No. 31. August 5, 1867. 
Mr. Seward to Mr. McCook, No. 36,' October 5, 1867. 

Mr. McCook and Mr. de Varigny — notes of conversations, September 14, 1869. 
And Mr. McCook and the King. 
Landing of naval force ; 

Mr ."Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 241, February 11, 1874. 

Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish. No. 243, February 17, 1874. 

Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 245, February 20, 1874. 

Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine, No. 255, August 1, 1889. 
Lilioukalani, Queen, accession of. 

Foreign Relations of the United States, 1891. 
Liquor traffic : 

Article 6, treaty with France of July 17, 1849. 

Mr. Evarts to Mr. Comly, No. 81, Nov. 13, 1880. (Ralik Islands.) 
Message of the President of December 31, 1842: 

House of Representatives Ex. Doc. No. 35, Twenty-seventh Congress, third session. 

Message of December 9, 1868, annexation. 

Message of December 9, 1868, reciprocity. 
Opposition of Great Britain to American interests : 

Mr. McBride to Mr. Seward, No. 9, October 9, 1863. 

Mr. Seward to Mr. McBride, No. 10, January 14. 1864. 

Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 291, October 12, 1874. 

Mr. Evarts to Mr. Comly, No. 28, August 6, 1878. (See Foreign Relations of the 

United States, 1878.') 
Mr. Blaine to Mr. Comlv, No. 102, June 30, 1881. (See Foreign Relations of the 

United States, 1881.) 
Mr. Merrill to Mr. Bayard, No. 78, September 2, 1886. 
Mr. Merrill to Mr. Bayard, No. 85, October 19, 1886. 

Mr. Hastings to Mr. Bayard. No. 89, October 28, 1886. (See Foreign Relations 

of the United States, 1887.) 
Mr. Merrill to Mr. Bayard, No. 173, February 24, 1888. (See Foreign Relations 

of the United States, 1888.) 
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 65, September 14, 1892. 
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 72, October 30, 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 74, November 30, 1892. (See Foreign Relations of 
the United States, 1878, 1887, 1888.) 
Pearl River Harbor — 

Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 190, February 10, 1873, 

EL Ex, 48-—18 



274 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Pearl River Harbor — Continued. 

General Schofield to General Belknap, May 8, 1873., report. 
Supplementary convention, December 6, 1884. 

Mr. Merrill toMr. Bayard, No. 173, February 24, 1888. (See Foreign relations 

of the United States, 1888.) 
See Foreign Relations of tbe United States, 1888. 
Policy of the United States — 

President's Message December 31, 1842. (H. R. Ex. Doc. No. 35, Twenty-seventh - 

Congress, Third session.) 
Mr. Webster to George Brown, No. 7, March 15, 1843. 
Mr. Brown to Mr. Webster, No. 5, October 26, 1843. 
Mr. Brown to Mr. Webster, No. 6, November 4 ; 1843. 
Mr. Webster to Mr. Severance, No. 4, July 14, 1851. 
Confidential, Mr. Yvebster to Mr. Severance, July 14, 1851. 
Mr. McBride to Mr. Seward, No. 9, October 9, 1863. 
Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward, No. 6, September 3, 1866. 

Mr. Blaine to Mr. Comly, No. 113, December 1, 1881. (See Foreign Relations of 

the United States, 1881.) 
Confidential, Mr. Blaine to Mr. Comly, December 1, 1881. 

Mr. Frelinghuyseu to Mr. Daggett, No. 42, December 6, 1883. (See Foreign Re- 
lations of the United States, 1883.) 

Hawaiian-Samoan Convention. (See Foreign Relations of the United States, 
1887.) 

Mr. Bayard to Mr. Merrill, No. 52, July 12, 1887. (See Foreign Relations of the 

United States, 1887.) ' 
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 48, March 8, 1892. 

Message of the President, February 6, 1893. (Sen. Ex. Doc. No. 45, Fifty-second 

Congress, second session.) 
See Foreign Relations of the United States, 1881, 1883, 1888. 
Presents sent to the chiefs of the islands : 

Extract of letter to William Bolton Finch, U. S. S. Vincennes, 20th January, 1829. 
Protection of foreigners: 

Letter to the Secretary of the Navy from Thomas ap Catesby Jones, December 
25, 1826. Extract. 
Reciprocity — 

Unperfected treaty.of 1855. (Bureau of Rolls and Library, Department of State.) 

Message of the President, February 5, 1864. 

Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward, private, June 7, 1867. 

Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward, No. 31, August 5, 1867. 

Mr. Seward to Mr. McCook, confidential, September 12, 1867. 

Mr. Seward to Mr. McCook, No. 36, October 5, 1867. 

Unperfected treaty of 1867 (Bureau of Rolls and Library, Department of State). 

Mr. Z. S. Snalding to Mr. — Spalding, April 14, 1869. 

Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 189, February 7, 1873! 

Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 190, February 10, 1873. 

Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 191, February 17, 1873. 

Gen. Schofield to Gen. Belknap, May 8, 1873. 

Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 291, October 12, 1874. 

Treaty of January 30, 1875. 

Protocol of Conference, September 9, 1876. 

Mr. Evarts to Mr. Comly, No. 28, August 6, 1878. Favored Nation clause. (See 

Foreign Relations of the United Slates, 1878). 
Mr. Blaine to Mr. Comly, No. 102, June 30, 1881. Construction of the treaty. 

(See Foreign Relations of the United States, 1881). 
Supplementary Convention. December 6, 1884. 
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 46, February 8, 1892, revision. 
See Foreign Relations of the United States, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1879, 1881, 

1887. 

Rest oration of the islands in 1843 — 

Commercial x4.gent Hoopers No. 28, August 15, 1843. 

Mr. Brown to Mr. Webster, No. 5, October 26, 1843. 

Mr. Brown to Mr. Webster, No. 6, November 4, 1843. 
Revolution, organized party for — 

Mr. .Stevens to Mr. Blaine, No. 48, March 8, 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 65, September 14, 1892. 
Political situation — 

Capt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navy, October 20, 1892. 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, No. 72, October 31, 1892. 

Capt. WiLse to the Secretary ot the Navy, November 1, 1892. 

Capt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navy, November 9, 1892. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



275 



Seizure of the islands by the British in 1843— 

.Commercial Agent Win. Hooper's No. 22, March 7, 1843. 

Commercial Agent Win. Hooper's No. 23, March 11, 1843. 

Commercial Agent Wm. Hooper's No. 28, August 15, 1843. 

Message of the President of March 3, 1854. 
Seizure of islands by the French in 1849 — 

Mr. Ten Eyck to Mr. Buchanan, No. 55, September 3, 1849. 

Mr. Turrill to Mr. Clayton, No. 30, September 4, 1849. 

Messrs. Judd and Jarves to Mr. Clayton, May 30, 1850. 

Mr. Clayton to Messrs. Judd and Jarves, June 3, 1850. 

Mr. Clayton to Mr. Rives, No. 15, July 5, 1850. 

Mr. Rives to Mr. Webster, No. 49, September 12, 1850. 

Mr. Severance to Mr. Webster, No. 6, March 11, 1851. 

Mr. Webster to Mr. Severance, No. 4, July 14, 1851. 

Mr. Webster to Mr. Rives, No. 28, June 19, 1851. 

Joint Resolution of the nobles and representatives of June 21, 1851. 

Mr. Rives to Mr. Webster, No. 95, July 8, 1851. 

Mr. Webster to Mr. Severance, No. 4, July 14, 1851. 

Mr. Rives to Mr. Webster, No. 97, July 22, 1851. 

Mr. Rives to Mr. Seward, No. 109, October 30, 1851. 
Treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation between the United States and 

the Sandwich Islands, signed at Honolulu, December 23, 1826. 
Treaty between Great Britain and Hawaii of November 16, 1836, signed at Honolulu. 
Treaty between France and Hawaii, signed at Honolulu July 12, 1839. 
Treaty between France and Hawaii, signed at Honolulu July 17, 1839. 
Treaty of peace, amity, and commerce between France and Hawaii, signed at 

Honolulu March, 26, 1846. 
Treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation between the United States and 

Hawaiian Islands, concluded at Washington, December 20, 1849. 
Treaty of reciprocity, unperfected, 1855. (Bureau of Rolls and Library, Depart- 
ment of State. 

Treaty, unperfected treaty of reciprocity, 1867. (Bureau of Rolls and Library, 

Department of State.) 
Treaty between United States and the Hawaiian Islands, Commercial Reciprocity, 

January 30, 1875. 

Treaty: Protocol of Conference, September 9, 1876. Ratification of Commercial 
Reciprocity. 

Treaty, Hawaiian Islands. Supplementary Convention, December 6, 1884. Reci- 
procity and Pearl River Harbor Cession. 

Treaty, Parcels Post Convention between the United States and the Hawaiian King- 
dom, December 19, 1888. 

Visit of King Kalakaua : 

Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, No. 291, October 12, 1874. 

Wiley case: 

Proceedings on appeal from judgment of the inferior court. Mr. Calhoun to Mr. 
Brown, No. 4, January 20, 1845. 



Bibliography. Foreign Relations of the United States, volumes from 1871 to 1891; 

International Law Digest, Wharton; Treaties and Conventions between the 
United States and other Powers, 1776 to 1887; Treaties and Conventions of 
the Kingdom of Hawaii, Honolulu, 1875; History Hawaiian Islands, Jarves, 
4th ed., with Appendix, Honolulu, 1872; Honolulu Directory and Historical 
Sketch of the Sandwich Islands, by C. C. Bennett, Honolulu, 1869; Hono- 
lulu Sketches of Life in the Hawaiian Islands, 1828-1861, by Laura Fish 
Judd, with Appendix, New York, 1880; Ha waiian Islands, Anderson, Boston, 
1864; Sandwich Islands, Stewart, Boston, 1839; Sandwich Island Notes, Bates 
(A. Haole), New York, 1854. (Histories by Dibble, Bingham, Nordhoff, Chaney, 
and Miss Bird are mentioned, but have not been consulted.) Printed Con- 
fessional Documents; Forty -fourth Congress, first session, House Report No. 
116, Parts 1 and 2; Forty-seventh Congress, second session, House Report 
No. 1860, Parts 1 and 2; Forty-seventh Congress, second session, Senate 
Report 1013; Forty-eighth Congress, first session, Senate Report No. 76; 
Forty-ninth Congress, first session, House Report No. 1759; Forty-ninth 
Congress, second session, House Ex. Doc. No. 130;, Forty-ninth Congress, 
second session, House Report No. 4177 ; Fifty-first Congress, second session, 
House Report No. 3422; Fifty -first Congress, second session, House Report 
No. 3774; Fifty-first Congress, first session, House Report No. 627 ; Fifty- 
first Congress, first session, House Mis. Doc. 114; Fifty-second Congress, 
first session, Senate Ex. Doc, No. 27 ; Fifty-second Congress, second session, 
Senate Mis. Doc. No. 37. 



Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, rind Navigation, between The United 
States and the Sandwich Islands, signed at Honolulu, December 23. 
1826. 

Articles of agreement made and concluded at Oahu, between Thomas 
ap Catesby Jones, appointed by the United States, of the one part, 
and Kauikeaouli, King of the Sandwich Islands and his guardians, 
on the other part. 

Article I. The peace and friendship subsisting between the United 
States and their Majesties, the Queen Regent and Kauikeaouli, King of 
the Sandwich Islands, and their subjects and people, are hereby con- 
firmed and declared to be perpetual. 

II. The ships and vessels of the United States (as well as their con- 
suls and all other' citizens), within the territorial jurisdiction of the 
Sandwich Islands, together with all their property, shall be inviolably 
protected against all enemies of the United States in time of war. 

III. The contracting parties, being desirous to avail themselves of the 
bounties of Divine Providence, by promoting the commercial intercourse 
and friendship subsisting between the respective nations ; for the better 
security of these desirable objects, their Majesties bind themselves to 
receive into their ports and harbours, all ships and vessels of the United 
States, and to -protect to the utmost of their capacity all such ships and 
vessels, their cargoes, officers, and crews, so long as they shall behave 
themselves peacefully, and not infringe the established laws of the land; 
the citizens of the United States being permitted to trade freely with 
the people of the Sandwich Islands. 

IV. Their Majesties do further agree to extend the fullest protection 
within their control to all ships and vessels of the United States which 
may be wrecked on their shores, and to render every assistance in their 
power to save the wreck and her apparel and cargo; and, as a reward 
for the assistance and protection which the people of the Sandwich 
Islands shall afford to all such distressed vessels of the United States, 
they shall be entitled to a salvage or a portion of the property so saved ; 
but such salvage shall in no case exceed one-third of the vessel saved, 
which valuation is to be fixed by a commission of disinterested persons, 
who shall be chosen equally by the parties. 

V. Citizens of the United States, whether resident or transit, engaged 
in commerce or trading to the Sandwich Islands, shall be inviolably 
protected in their lawful pursuits, and shall be allowed to sue for and 
recover by judgment all claims against the subjects of His Majesty the 
King according to strict principles Of equity and the acknowledged 
practice of civilized nations. 

VI. Their Majesties do further agree and bind themselves to dis- 
countenance and use all practicable means to prevent desertion from 
all American ships which visit the Sandwich Islands; and to that end 
it shall be made the duty of all governors, magistrates, chiefs of dis- 
tricts, and all others in authority, to apprehend all deserters and to 
deliver them over to the master of the vessel from which they have 

276 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



277 



deserted; and for the apprehension of every snch deserter who shall 
be delivered over as aforesaid, the master, owner, or agent shall pay to 
the person or persons apprehending sneh deserter the sum of 6 dollars, 
if taken on the side of the island near which the vessel is anchored; 
but if taken on the opposite side of the island the sum shall be 12 dol- 
lars, and if taken on any other island the reward shall be 21 dollars, 
and shall be a just charge against the wages of every such deserter. 

VII. No tonnage dues or impost shall be exacted of any citizen of 
the United States which is not paid by the citizens or subjects of the 
nation most favored jn commerce with the Sandwich Islands; and the 
citizens or subjects of the Sandwich Islands shall be allowed to trade 
with the United States and her territories upon principles of equal 
advantage with the most favored nation. 

Done in council at Honolulu, Island of Oahu, this 23rd day of De- 
cember, in the year of our Lord 1826. 

Thgs. Ap Oatesby Jones. 
Eli s abet a Kaahumanu. 
Karaimoku. 
Bokx 

HOAPILI. 

Libia Xamaiiana. 



[From Jones, December 25, 1826, dated Honolulu. J 

Says that the state of affairs in regard to foreigners being protected 
is in a bad condition and that his services are really required at the 
islands to protect the seamen. 

"On the 23d instant I concluded some arrangements with the Gov- 
ernment of these islands calculated to secure our interest in this quarter 
and suppress the evils which have hitherto existed. I have also secured 
satisfactory pledges for the speedy payment of the large claims held by 
American citizens against the islanders. In short, I hope it will be 
proved that the Peacoctfs visit to the Sandwich and Society Islands 
has in some degree accomplished the main object of the cruise." 



[To Wm, Bolton Finch, U. S. S. Vineennes, January 20, 1829.] 

" Chaplain Stewart has in his care and will deliver to you a letter to 
King Kainehameha, a few presents from our Government to the princi- 
pal chiefs of the Sandwich Islands. You will deliver them to the persons 
for whom they are intended. 

"Remain from two to three weeks, or as long as shall be thought 
expedient for careful to cultivate the most friendly relations and to 
procure from onr consular and commercial agent or from other sources 
every information respecting our commercial and other interests which 
may be practicable." 

Instructions to reclaim deserting sailors, and to make inquiries into 
the state of our commerce, etc. 

[No mention made of the treaty of December 23 ? 1820.] 



278 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



(2) English treaty of Lord Edward Russell, November 16, 1836. 

Articles made and agreed on at Honolulu, island of Oahu, the lGth of 

November ? 183G. 

Article I. English subjects shall be permitted to come with their 
vessels, and property of whatever kind, to the Sandwich Islands ; they 
shall also be permitted to reside therein, as long as they conform to the 
laws of these islands, and to build houses, and warehouses for then' 
merchandise, with the consent of the King; and good friendship shall 
continue between the subjects of both countries, Great Britain and the 
Sandwich Islands. 

Article II. English subjects, resident at the Sandwich Islands, are 
at liberty to goto their own country, or elsewhere, either in their own 
or any other vessel; they may dispose of their effects, enclosures, 
houses. <&c, with the previous knowledge of the King, and take the 
value with them, 'without any impediment whatever. The land on 
which houses are built is the property of the King, but the King shall 
have no authority to destroy the houses, or in any way injure the 
property of any British subject. 

Article III. When an English subject dies on the Sandwich 
Islands, his effects shall not be searched or touched by any of the 
governors or chiefs, but shall be delivered into the hands of his exec- 
utors or heirs, if present; but if no heir or executor appear, the consul 
or his agent shall be executor for the same; if any debts were owing to 
the deceased, the governor of the place shall assist and do all in his 
power to compel the debtors to pay their debts to the heirs or executor, 
or the consul, in case no heir or executor appears, and the consul is to 
inform the King of the death of every British subject leaving property 
upon the Sandwich Islands. 

Kamehameha III. 
Edward Kussel, 
Captain of H. B. M, S. Actcon. 



[ Translator..] 

Treaty concluded July 12, 1839, between the King of the Sandwich Islands 
and Capt. Laplace, commanding the French frigate Artemise, acting in 
the name of the King of the French. 

Article 1. The Catholic worship is declared free in all the islands 
subject to the King of the Sandwich (islands); the members of that 
communion will enjoy there all the privileges granted to Protestants. 

Art. 2. A piece of ground for a Catholic church will be granted by 
the Government at Hohorourou, a port frequented by the French, and 
that Church will be served by priests of their nation. 

Art. 3. AH the Catholics imprisoned on account of their religion 
since the last persecutions exercised against the French missionaries 
will be immediately set at liberty. 

Art. 4. The King of the Sandwich (Islands) will deposit in the hands 
of the captain of the Artemise the sum of twenty thousand dollars as a 
guarantee of his future conduct towards France, the Government of 
which will restore him this sum when it shall deem that the clauses of 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



279 



this treaty and those of the convention concluded with Captain Dupetit- 
Thouars in July, 1837, have been faithfully executed. 

Art. 5. The treaty, together with the sum mentioned above, will be 
brought on board the frigate Artemise by one of the principal chiefs of 
the country, and, at the same time, the batteries of Honorourou will 
salute the French flag with twenty-one guns, which will be returned by 
the frigate. 

Made and signed between the contracting parties July 12, 1839. 

Kamehameha III. 
0. Laplace, 
Commanding the Artemise. 



[Translation.] 

Convention concluded July 17, 1839, between tlie King of the Sandwich 
Islands, Kamehameha III, and Captain Laplace, commanding the 
j^rench frigate Artemise, representing his Government. 

Article 1. There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between 
the King of the French and the King of the Sandwich Islands. 

Art. 2. Frenchmen shall be protected in an efficient manner, in 
their persons and property, by the King of the Sandwich Islands, who 
will also grant them the necessary permission to prosecute those of his 
subjects against whom they may have just claims. 

Art. 3. Such protection shall extend to French vessels, their crews 
and their officers. In case of shipwreck, the chiefs and inhabit- 
ants of the various parts of the archipelago must lend them assistance 
and protect them from pillage. The salvage dues will be settled, in 
case of difficulty, by umpires appointed by both parties. 

Art. 4. No Frenchman accused of any crime can be tried other- 
wise than by a jury composed of foreign residents, proposed by the 
consul of France and accepted by the Government of the Sandwich 
Islands. 

Art. 5. The desertion of sailors employed on board the French ves- 
sels will be severely repressed by the local authorities, who must em- 
ploy every means at their command to have the deserters arrested; and 
the expenses of capture will be paid by the captains or owners of the 
said vessels, in accordance with the tariff adopted by the nations. 

Art. 0. French goods, or those recognized as being of French origin, 
and especially wines and brandies, can not be prohibited, nor pay an 
import duty of more than live per cent ad valorem. 

Art. 7. No tonnage or import duties can be required of French mer- 
chants, unless they are paid by the subjects of the most favored nation 
in its commerce with the Sandwich Islands. 

Art. 8. The subjects of King Kamehameha III shall be entitled, in 
the French Possessions, to all the advantages enjoyed by the French 
in the Sandwich Islands, and they shall be considered, moreover, as 
belonging to the most favored nation, as regards its commercial rela- 
tions with France. 

Made and signed between the contracting parties, July 17, 1839. 

Kamehameha III. 
0. Laplace, 
Captain, Commanding the Artemise.- 



280 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



[House Ex. No. 35, Twenty-seventh Congress, third session.] 
SANDWICH ISLANDS AND CHINA. 

Message from the President of the United States, respecting the trade and 
commerce of the United States with the Sandwich Islands and with dip- 
lomatic intercourse with their Government : also in relation to the new 
position of affairs in China, growing out of the late war between Great 
Britain and China, and recommending provision for a diplomatic agent. 

December 31, 1842.— Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. 

To the House of Representatives of the United States: 

I communicate herewith to Congress copies of a correspondence which 
has recently taken place between certain agents of the Government of 
the Hawaiian or Sandwich Islands and the Secretary of State. 

The condition of those islands has excited a good deal of interest, 
which is increasing by every successive proof that their inhabitants 
are making progress in civilization, and becoming more and more com- 
petent to maintain regular and orderly civil government. They lie *n 
the Pacific Ocean, ranch nearer to this continent than the other, and 
have become an important place for the refitment and provisioning of 
American and European vessels, 

Owing to their locality and to the coarse of the winds which prevail 
in this quarter of the world, the Sandwich Islands are the stopping- 
place for almost all vessels passing from continent to continent, across 
the Pacific Ocean. They are especially resorted to by a great number 
of vessels of the United States, which are engaged in the whale fishery 
in those seas. The number of vessels of all sorts, and the amount of 
property owned by citizens of the United States, which are found in 
those islands in the course of a year, are stated, probably with sufficient 
accuracy in the letter of the agents. 

Just emerging from a state of barbarism, the Government of the islands 
is as yet feeble; but its dispositions appear to be just and pacific, and 
it seems anxious to improve the condition of its people, by the intro- 
duction of knowledge, of religious and moral institutions, means of 
education, and the arts of civilized life. 

It can not but be in conformity with the interest and wishes of the 
Government and the people of the United States that this community 
thus existing in the midst of a vast expanse of ocean should be re- 
spected, and all its rights strictly and conscientiously regarded. And 
this must also be the true interest of all other commercial states. Far 
remote from the dominions of European Powers, its growth and pros- 
perity as an independent state may yet be in a high degree useful to 
all whose trade is extended to those regions, while its near approach 
to this continent, and the intercourse which American vessels have with 
it — such vessels constituting five sixths of all which annually visit it — 
could not but create dissatisfaction on the part of the United States at 
any attempt by another power, should such attempt be threatened or 
feared, to take possession of the islands, colonize them, and subvert the 
native Government. Considering, therefore, that the United States 
possesses so very large a share of the intercourse with those islands, it 
is deemed not unfit *to make the declaration that their Government 
seeks nevertheless no peculiar advantages, no exclusive control over 
the Hawaiian Government, but is content with its independent exist- 
ence, and anxiously wishes for its security and prosperity. Its forbear- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



281 



ance in this respect, under the circumstances of the very large inter- 
course of their citizens with the islands, would justify the Government, 
should events hereafter arise, to require it, in making a decided remon- 
strance against the adoption of an opposite policy by any other power. 
Under the circumstances, I recommend to Congress to provide for a 
moderate allowance to be made out of the Treasury to the consul resid- 
ing there, that in a Government so new and a country so remote 
American citizens may have respectable authority to which to apply 
for redress, in case of injury to their person and property, and to whom 
the Government of the country may also make known any acts com- 
mitted by American citizens of which it may think it has a right to 
complain. 

Events of considerable importance have recently transpired in China. 
The military operations carried on against the Empire by the English 
Government have been terminated by a treaty according to the terms 
of which four important ports hitherto shut against foreign commerce 
are to be open to British merchants, viz, Amoy, Foo-Choo-Eoo, Xingpo, 
and Chinghai. It can not but be interesting to the mercantile interest 
of the United States, whose intercourse with China at the single port 
of Canton has already become so considerable, to ascertain whether 
these other ports now open to British commerce are to remain shut, 
nevertheless, against the commerce of the United States. The treaty 
between the Chinese Government and the British commissioner pro- 
vides neither for the admission nor the exclusion of the ships of other 
nations. It would seem, therefore, that it remains with every other 
nation having commercial intercourse with China to seek to make 
proper arrangements for itself with the Government of that Empire in * 
this respect. 

The importations into the United States from China are known to be 
large, having amounted in some -years, as will be seen by the annexed 
tables, to $9,000,000. The exports, too, from the United States to China, 
constitute an interesting and growing part of the commerce of the 
country. It appears that in the year 1841, in the direct trade between 
the two countries, the value of the exports from the United States 
amounted to $715,000 in domestic products and ^lcS5,000 in foreign % 
merchandise. But the whole amount of American produce Avhicli 
finally reached China and is there consumed is not comprised in these 
tables, which show only the direct trade. Many vessels with American 
products on board sail with a primary destination to other countries, 
but ultimately dispose of more or less of their cargoes in the port of 
Canton. 

The peculiarities of the Chinese Government and the Chinese char- 
acter are well known. An Empire supposed to contain 300,000,000 
of subjects, fertile in various rich products of the earth, not without the 
knowledge of letters and of many arts, and with large and expensive 
accommodations for internal intercourse and traffic, has for ages sought 
to exclude the visits of strangers and foreigners from its dominions, 
and has assumed for itself a superiority over all other nations. Events 
appear likely to break down and soften this spirit of nonintercourse, 
and to bring China ere long into the relations which usually subsist 
between civilized States. She has agreed, in the treaty with England, 
that correspondence between the agents of the two Governments shall 
be on equal terms — a concession which it is hardly probable will here- 
after be withheld from other nations. 

It is true that the cheapness of labor among the Chinese, their inge- 
nuity in its application, and the fixed character of their habits and 



282 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



pursuits may discourage the hope of the opening of any great and 
sudden demand for the fabrics of other countries; but experience 
proves that the productions of Western nations find a market, to some 
extent, among the Chinese; that that market, so far as respects the 
productions of the United States, although it has considerably varied 
in successive seasons, has on the whole more than doubled within the 
last ten years; and it can hardly be doubted that the opening of sev- 
eral new and important ports, connected with parts of the Empire here- 
tofore seldom visited by Europeans or Americans, would exercise a 
favorable influence upon the demand for such products. 

It is not understood that the immediate establishment of corre- 
spondent embassies and missions, or the permanent residence of diplo- 
matic functionaries, with full powers, of each country, at the court of 
the other, is contemplated between England and China, although, as 
has been already observed, it has been stipulated that intercourse be- 
tween the two countries shall hereafter be on equal terms. An am- 
bassador or envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary can 
only be accredited, according to the usages of western nations, to the 
head or sovereign of the state. And it may be doubtful whether the 
court of Pekin is yet prepared to conform to these usages so far as to 
receive a minister plenipotentiary to reside near it. 

Being of opinion, however, that tjie commercial interests of the 
United States, connected with China, require at the present moment a 
degree of attention and vigilance such as there is no agent of this Gov- 
ernment on the spot to bestow, I recommend to Congress to make ap- 
propriation for the compensation of a commissioner to reside in China, 
to exercise a watchful care over the concerns, of American citizens and 
for the protection of their persons and property; empowered to hold 
intercourse with the local authorities, and ready, under instructions 
from his Government, should such instructions become necessary and 
proper hereafter, to address himself to the high functionaries of the 
Empire, or through them to the Emperor himself. 

It will not escape the observation of Congress that, in order to secure 
•the important objects of any such measure, a citizen of much intelli- 
gence and weight of character should be employed on such agency; 
and that, to secure the services of such an individual, a compensation 
should be made corresponding with the magnitude and importance of 
the mission. 

John Tyler. 

Washington, December 30, 1842. 



Messrs. Richards and Haalilio to the Secretary of State. 

Washington, December 14, 1842. 

Sir: The undersigned having been duly commissioned by His Maj- 
esty Kamehameha III, King of all the Hawaiian Islands, to represent 
his Government and promote its interests in the United States, wish 
to call the attention of your Government to the existing relations be- 
tween the two countries. 

In the year 1826 articles of agreement, in the form of a treaty, were 
entered into between His Majesty's Government and Thomas ap Cates- 
by Jones, commanding the United States sloop of war Peacock. His- 
Majesty has never received any notice of that treaty's being ratified, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



283 



nor intimation that it was approved by the Government of the United 
States. His Majesty has, nevertheless, during the last sixteen years, 
governed himself by the regulations of that treaty in all his intercourse 
with citizens of the United States. 

Subsequently to the above similar forms of agreement have been 
entered into between His Majesty and officers commanding vessels of 
war of different nations of Europe; but, so far as is known to the un- 
dersigned, those agreements have never received the sanction of their 
several Governments. 

These facts, viewed in connection with their attendant circumstances, 
have led His Majesty to feel considerable embarrassment in managing 
his foreign relations, and have awakened the very strong desire that his 
Kingdom shall be formally acknowledged by the civilized nations of the 
world as a sovereign and independent State. 

His Majesty considers that this acknowledgment has already been 
tacitly but virtually made, both in the United States and Europe>by the 
appointment of consuls and commercial agents to reside in his domin- 
ions and by the formal manner in which the commanders of national 
vessels have transacted business with him, many of whom have profess- 
edly acted under the express instructions of their several Governments. 
But he is nevertheless of opinion that the time has now arrived when 
both the interests and the honor of his Kingdom demand a more formal 
acknowledgment than has hitherto been made by any foreign gov- 
ernment. It is His Majesty's request that the Government of the 
United States will take into consideration the nature, extent, and the 
rapidity of those changes which have taken place in his dominions dur- 
ing the last lew years — changes which he has the happiness to believe 
are honorable both to his Government and to the people over whom it 
rules. 

Twenty-three years ago the nation had no written language and no 
character in which to write it. The language had never been systema- 
tized nor reduced to any kind of form. The people had no acquaint- 
ance with Christianity nor with the valuable institutions or usages of 
civilized life. The nation had no fixed form or regulations of govern- 
ment, except as they were dictated by those who were in authority or 
might by any means acquire power. The right of property was not ac- 
knowledged, and was therefore but partially enjoyed ; there were no 
courts of justice and the will of the chieftains was absolute. The prop- 
erty of foreigners had no protection except in the kind disposition of 
individuals. But unoer the fostering influence, patronage, and care of 
His Majesty and of his predecessors the language has been reduced 
to visible and systematized form and is now written by a large and re- 
spectable proportion of the people. Schools have been established 
throughout his dominions and are supported principally by the Gov- 
ernment, and there are but few among the younger people who are 
unable to read. They have now, in their own language, a library, em- 
bracing a considerable variety of books on a variety of subjects, includ- 
ing the Holy Scriptures, works on natural history, civil history, church 
history, geography, political economy, mathematics, and statute law, 
besides a number of elementary books. A regular monarchical Gov- 
ernment has been organized, of a limited and representative character, 
a translation of the constitution of which we herewith transmit. A 
code of laws, both civil and criminal, has been enacted and published. 

The legislature holds an annual meeting, for the purpose of adding 
to and amending this code. Courts of justice have been established 
and regular trials by jury required in ali important cases. Foreigners 



284 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



of different nations have testified tlieir confidence in these courts by 
bringing suits in cases where many, thousands of dollars' worth of 
property was involved, and that, too, in cases when, with but very 
short delay, they could have been carried before the courts of other 
countries. 

It has, moreover, been the uniform practice of consuls aud commer- 
cial agents, resident in His Majesty's dominions, and also of all com- 
manders of national vessels visiting those dominions, to demand ail 
that protection, both of persons and property, which is demanded of 
sovereign and independent States, and this His Majesty believes has 
been duly and efficiently extended. While, therefore, all is demanded 
of his Government, and all is-rendered by it which is demanded of or 
rendered by the governments of sovereign and independent states, he 
feels that he has a right to expect his state to be acknowledged as 
such, and thus be formally received into the general compact of sov- 
ereign nations. In the request which His Majesty hereby makes to 
the Government of the United States, he has of course for his direct 
object the promotion of the interest of his own Kingdom, but he is also 
very fully convinced that the important interests of all the great com- 
mercial nations will also be materially subserved by his dominions re- 
maining, as they have hitherto been, independent. 

Their position is such that they constitute the great center of the 
whale fishery for most of the world. They are on the principal line of 
communication between the western continent of America and the east- 
ern continent of Asia; and such are the prevailing winds on that ocean 
that all vessels requiring repairs or supplies, either of provisions or of 
water, naturally touch at those islands, whether the vessels sail from 
Columbia Eiver on the north, or from the far distant ports of Mexico, 
Central America, or Peru, upon the south ; and it should be further 
added, that there is no other place in all that part of the Pacific Ocean 
where repairs of vessels can be made to so good an advantage, or sup- 
plies be obtained in such abundance, and on so favorable terms. 

His Majesty wishes also to remind the "Government of the United 
States that the amount of property belonging to their citizens, which 
is either landed at or enters the various harbors or roadsteads of his 
dominions, and is consequently more or less dependent on the protec- 
tion of his Government, can not be less than from five to seven millions 
of dollars annually. This property lies in some 90 or 100 Avhaling 
ships and their cargoes, and in some 12 or 15 merchant vessels, besides 
also a considerable amount of other property belonging to American 
citizens on shore. At some seasons there have been not less than three 
or four millions of dollars worth of American property, and some 1,400 
American citizens at the same time, at the various ports of the islands, 
requiring constantly, in some degree, the protection of His Majesty; 
and he has the happiness of believing that efficient and satisfactory 
aid has always been extended to those who have required it. In evi- 
dence corroborative of many of the facts herein stated, the undersigned 
do not hesitate to refer to documentary evidence, which they believe 
must be among the papers in your Department of State, recently fur- 
nished by masters of national vessels, but more especially by the United 
States commercial agent at Honolulu. 

His Majesty is also desirous that there should be a definite arrange- 
ment for the settlement of any future difficulties which may unhappily 
arise and which, between sovereign and indei>endent nations, would 
ordinarily be the subject of diplomatic correspondence. To carry into 
effect these desirable objects the undersigned are authorized by His 



HAWAIIAN INLANDS. 



285 



Majesty Kamehaineha III to enter into negotiation with the authori- 
ties the United States, by convention, treaty, or otherwise, whenever 
the latter shall acknowledge the sovereignty of the former 5 and as evi- 
dence that the undersigned are thus authorized, they are prepared to 
present official papers from His Majesty whenever the way is open for 
them to be received. 

The undersigned will further state that they are directed to proceed 
from the United States to Europe for the purpose of obtaining from 
some of the principal governments there the same acknowledgments 
which it is the object of this letter to obtain from the Government of 
the United States. 

Accept, sir, the assurances of the high consideration with which the 
undersigned have the honor to be your obedient servants, 

TlMOTEO HAALILIO. 

William Eichakds. 

Hon. Daniel Webster, 

Secretary of State, 



The Secretary of State to the agents of the Sandwich Islands, 

Department of State, 

Washington, December 19, 1842. 

Gentlemen : I have received the letter which you did me the honor 
to address to me, under date of the 14th instant, stating that you had 
been commissioned to represent in the United States the Government 
of the Hawaiian Islands, inviting the attention of this Government to 
the relations between the two countries, and intimating a desire for a 
recognition of the Hawaiian Government by that of the United States. 

Your communication has been laid before the President, and by him 
considered. 

The advantages of your country to the navigators in the Pacific, and 
in particular to the numerous vessels and vast tonnage of the United 
States frequenting that sea, are fully estimated; and just acknowledg- 
ments are due to the Government and inhabitants of the islands for 
their numerous acts of hospitality to the citizens of the United States. 

The United States have regarded the existing authorities in the Sand- 
wich Islands as a Government suited to the condition of the people, and 
resting on their own choice; and the President is of opinion that the 
interests of all the commercial nations require that that Government 
should not be interfered with by foreign powers. Of the vessels which 
visit the islands, it is known that a great majority belong to the United 
States. The United States, therefore, are more interested in the fate 
of the islands, and of their Government, than any other nation can be; 
and this consideration induces the President to be quite willing to de- 
clare, as the sense of the Government of the United States, that the 
Government of the Sandwich Islands ought to be respected; that no 
power ought either to take possession of the islands as a conquest, or 
for the purpose of colonization, and that no power ought to seek for any 
undue control over the existing Government, or any exclusive privi- 
leges or preferences in matters of commerce. 

Entertaining these sentiments, the President does not see any pres- 
ent necessity for the negotiation of a formal treaty, or the appointment 
or reception of diplomatic characters, A consul or agent from this 



e 



286 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Government will continue to reside in the islands. He will receive 
particular instructions to pay just and careful attention to any claims 
or complaints which maybe brought against the Government or people 
of the islands by citizens of the United States, and he will also be in- 
structed to receive any complaint which may be made by that Govern- 
ment for acts of individuals (citizens of the United States) on account 
of which the interference of this Government may be requested, and to 
transmit such complaint to this Department. 

It is not improbable that this correspondence may be made the sub- 
ject of a communication to Congress, and it will be officially made known 
to the governments of the principal commercial powers of Europe. 
1 have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant, 

Daniel WEbSTER. 

Messrs. Timoteo Haalilio and William Richards, 

Washington. 



No. 22. 

U. S. Commercial Agency, 
Oahu, Sandivich Islands, March 7, 1843. 
Sir: I have the honor to inform you of the arrival at these islands 
of the British frigate Carysfort, Capt. Lord Geo. Paulet, on the 11th 
ultimo, dispatched from San Bias by Admiral Thomas to inquire into 
certain charges alleged against this Government by Mr. Charlton, late 
English consul for these islands. Copies of the correspondence which 
took place between Capt. Paulet and His Majesty the King are here- 
with inclosed. 

The nature of the demands made by Capt. Paulet were such as 
rendered it utterly impossible for the King to comply with them with- 
out completely subverting the established laws of the land and sacri- 
ficing the interests of many citizens of the United States, resident here, 
by setting aside decisions of juries in cases in which they were inter- 
ested. In this dilemma he chose the only alternative proffered by Capt. 
Paulet, which was to cede the islands to Great Britain; accordingly a 
provisional cession was made, a copy of which I have the honor to in- 
close to you. 

1 would, observe in regard to the first of the demands made by Capt. 
Paulet, that the attachment on the property of Mr. Charlton was 
made by virtue of a judgment rendered against him in the regular es- 
tablished courts of these islands. The Government, however, fearing 
that the result of an immediate prosecution of the judgment might be 
construed into an infringement on the privileges claimed by ministers, 
simply caused the sheriff to issue public notice that the property could 
not be transferred, by which measure the full occupation and enjoy- 
ment of the property was secured to Mr. Charlton. Not the shadow of 
a loss, therefore, was sustained by him in consequence of the proceed- 
ings. 

By the second demand it will be perceived that Capt. Paulet denies 
the right which this Government claims, in common with other nations, 
of receiving or rejecting consuls or their agents, even when good and 
sufficient cause for rejection can be adduced. 

The punishment of foreigners who have committed crimes by putting 
them in irons has only occasionally been resorted to, to prevent offend- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



287 



ers from leaving the port; indeed so slack lias the Government become 
in awarding punishment to merited offenders (foreigners) that I have 
formally declared to the governor of this island that, unless some re- 
form should take place in that particular, I should feel it my duty to 
represent it to Com. Jones of the Pacific squadron. 

The promise made by the King to Capt. Jones, referred to in the 
fourth demand, has been most religiously complied with, and the par- 
ties interested in the matter having voluntarily left their case with 
Sir George Simpson as arbitrator, the business has been fully and de- 
finitely settled, and is now only brought forward among other equally 
frivolous charges in order to swell the amount of "grievances" of Brit- 
ish subjects. 

In an interview between Mr. Simpson and the King, after he had 
formally acceded to the demands made by Capt. Paulet, he, Mr. Simpson, 
demanded that new trials should be granted in every instance in which 
decisions had been made affecting British subjects, since Mr. Charlton, 
the late consul, left, and this he contended was granted him by the 
King in acceding to the two last demands made by Capt. Paulet. The 
King, overwhelmed with this and similar unjust and exorbitant demands, 
gave up in despair. The final result of the business terminated in the 
provisional cession of the islands, before referred to. 

I have thus briefly reviewed the character of the " demands" made 
on this Government by Capt. Paulet under the direction of Mr. Simpson ; 
of the injustice of them no one conversant with the facts for a moment 
doubts. 

I would observe in passing that Lord Paulet is a young man of whose 
intellectual capacities very little can be said, and could the Govern- 
ment of Great Britain be induced to send out a commission for the 
purpose of instituting an inquiry into the causes which led him to pur- 
sue the course he has, the result would by no means be creditable to 
him. Such a commission the King most devoutly wishes might be sent, 
and it is intended, I learn, to solicit the Governments of France and the 
United States to use their influence in bringing it about. 

The geographical situation of the islands is such as to render it 
highly desirable that they should be neutral and their ports accessible 
at all times, in peace or war, by vessels of every nation. 

Of their value to American interests the Department must be fully 
aware from repeated communications and returns from this agency. 

A census of American citizens resident at these islands taken under 
my direction gives the number of 401, a large proportion of which are 
more or less interested in landed property, and they are not a little 
solicitous as to the national character they shall have to assume in 
order to retain their estates, should the islands become British terri- 
tory. So, also, in regard to the titles of their estates, a majority of 
which are held simply by the right of gift from some chief, now de- 
ceased, to some person, also deceased, and from whom the estate has 
passed without that formality which an English court of law would 
deem requisite in order to establish a valid title. 

It will be perceived on referring to the King's letter of February 18, 
(iNo. 7) to Capt. Paulet, that he complies with his demands only under 
protest; this was undoubtedly done with the hope of exciting the sym- 
pathies of foreign governments, but are there not other considerations 
which should induce the Government of the United States to exert its 
influence to secure the recognition of the independence of these islands 
by the European powers. 



288 



HAWAIIAN" ISLANDS. 



The subject is, indeed, one which deserves the profound considera 
tion of the Government. 

The British commissioners have assessed an additional duty of 1 per 
cent on all merchandise imported after this date. 
I have the honor to be, etc., 

Wm. Hooper, 
Acting U. 8. Commercial Agent. 

To the Hon. Daniel Webster, 

Secretary of State, Washington City. 



Her Britannic Majesty's Ship Oarysfort, 

Woahoo, February 11, 1843. 
Sir: Having arrived at this port, in her Britannic Majesty's ship 
Oarysfort, under my command, for the purpose of affording protection 
to British "subjects, as likewise to support the position of Her Britannic 
Majesty's representative here, who has received repeated insults from 
the Government authorities at these islands, respecting which it is my 
intention to communicate only with the King in person. 

I require to have immediate information by return of the officer con- 
- veying this dispatch whether or not the King (in consequence of niy 
arrival) has been notified that his presence will be required l*ere, and 
the earliest day on which he may be expected, as otherwise I shall be 
compelled to proceed to his residence, in the ship under my command, 
for the purpose of communicating with him. 

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, 

George Paulet, 
Captain, 

To Kekuanoa, 

Governor of Woahoo. etc. 



[Translated by G. P. Judd, translator to the Government.] 

Honolulu, Oahy, February 11, 1813. 

Salutations to you. Lord George Paulet, captain of Her Britannic 
Majesty's ship Oarysfort. 

I have received your letter by the hand of the officer, and, with 
respect, imform you that we have not as yet sent for the King, as we 
were not informed of the business, but, having learned from your com- 
munication that you wish him sent for, I will search for a vessel and 
send. 

He is at Wailuku, on the eastern side of Maui. In case the wind is 
favorable he may be expected in six days. 
Yours, with respect, 

M. Kekuanoa. 



Her Britannic Majesty's Ship Oarysfort, 

Honolulu Harbor, February 16, 1843. 
Sir : I have the honor to acquaint your Majesty of the arrival in this 
port of Her Britannic Majesty's ship, under my command. and ? accord* 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



289 



ing to my instructions, I am desired to demand a private interview 
with you, to which I shall proceed with a proper and competeut inter- 
preter. I therefore request to be informed at what hour to-morrow it 
will be convenient for your Majesty to grant me that interview. 
I have the honor to remain your Majesty's 

Most obedient and humble servant, 

Geo. Paulet, 

Captain. 

To His Majesty Kamehameha III. 



* Honolulu, February 17, 1843. 

Salutations to you, Lord George Paulet, Captain of Her Britannic 
Majesty's ship Oarysfort. 

Sir: We have received your communication of yesterday's date, and 
must decline having any private interview, particularly under the cir- 
cumstances which you propose. We shall be ready to receive any 
written communication from you to-morrow, and will give it due con- 
sideration. 

In case you have business of a private nature, Ave will appoint Dr. 
Judd our confidential agent to confer with you, who, being a person of 
integrity and fidelity to our Government, and perfectly acquainted with 
all our affairs, will receive your communications, give you all the infor- 
mation you require (in confidence), and report the same to us. 
With respect, 

Kamehameha III. 
Kekaulouhi. 
I hereby certify the above to be a faithful translation, 

G. P. Judd, 
Translator and Interpreter for the Government. 



Her Britannic Majesty's Ship Oarysfort, 

Woahoo, February 17, 1843. 
Sir : In answer to your letter of this day's date (which I have too 
good an opinion of your majesty to allow me to believe ever emanated 
from yourself, but from your ill-advisers) I have to state that I shall hold 
no communication whatever with Dr. G. P. Judd, who, it has been satis- 
factorily proved to me, has been the punic mover in the unlawful pro- 
ceedings of your Government against British subjects. 

As you have refused me a personal interview, I inclose you the de- 
mands which I consider it my duty to make upon your Government, 
with which I demand a compliance at or before 4 o'clock p. m. to-morrow 
(Saturday); otherwise I shall be obliged to take immediate coercive 
steps to obtain these measures for my countrymen. 
I have the honor to be your majesty's most obedient, humble servant, 

Geo. Paulet, 

Captain. 

His Majesty Kamehameha III. 
H, Es, 48—19 



290 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Demand made by the Bight Honorable Lord George Paulet, captain, R. 
i\ r ., commanding Her Britannic M. Shij) Garysfort, upon the King of the 
San d w ich Is la n ds. 

First. The immediate removal by public advertisement, written in 
the native and English languages and signed by the governor of this 
island and F. W. Thompson, of the attachment placed upon Mr. Charl- 
ton's property, the restoration of the land taken by the Government 
for its own use and really appertaining to Mr. Charlton, and reparation 
for the heavy loss to which Mr. Charlton's representatives have been 
exposed by the oppressive and unjust proceedings of the Sandwich 
Island Government. 

Second. The immediate acknowledgment of the right of Mr. Simp- 
son to perform the functions delegated to him by Mr. Charlton, namely, 
those of Her Britannic Majesty's acting eonsukuutil Her Britannic 
Majesty's pleasure be known upon the reasouablness of your objections 
to iiini, the acknowledgment of that right, and the reparation for the 
insult offered to Her Majesty through her acting representative, to be 
made by a public reception of his commission and the saluting the 
British flag with twenty-one guns, which number will be returned by 
Her Britannic Majesty's ship under my command. 

Third. A guarantee that no British subject shall in future be sub- 
jected to imprisonment in letters, unless he is accused of a crime which 
by the laws of England would be considered a felony. 

Fourth. The compliance with a written promise given by King 
Kamehameha to Capt. Jones, of Her Britannic Majesty's ship Cura- 
coa, that a new and a fair trial would be granted in a case brought by 
Henry Skinner, Avhich promise has been evaded. 

Fifth. The immediate adoption of firm steps to arrange the matters 
in dispute between British subjects and natives of the country or 
others residing here, by referring these cases to juries, one-half of 
whom shall be British subjects, approved of by the consul, and all of 
•whom shall declare on oath their freedom from prejudgment upon or 
interest in the case brought before them. 

Sixth. I direct communication between His Majesty Kamehameha 
and her Britannic Majesty's acting consul for the immediate settlement 
of all cases of grievance and complaint on the part ol British subjects 
against the Sandwich Island Government. 

Dated on board her Britannic Majesty's ship at Woahoo this 17th 
day of February. 

George Paulet, 

Captain. 



Salutations to "Right Honorable Lord George Paulet, captain of Her 
Britannic Majesty's ship Carysfort. 

We have received your letter and the demands which accompanied, 
and in reply would inform your lordship that we have commissioned 
Sir George Simpson and William Richards as our ministers plenipo- 
tentiary and envoys extraordinary to the court of Great Britain, 
with full powers to settle the difficulties which you have presented be- 
fore us; to assure Her Majesty the Queen of our uninterrupted affection 
and confer with her ministers as to the best means of cementing the 
harmony between us. 

Some of the demands which you have laid before us, are of a nature 
calculated ..caoasly to embarks oiir feeble Government, by contraven- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



291 



ing the laws established for the benefit of all. But we shall comply 
with your demands as it has never been our intention to insult Her 
Majesty the Queen or injure any of her estimable subjects; but we 
must do so under protest, and shall embrace the earliest opportunity 
of representing our case more fully to her Britannic Majesty's Gov- 
ernment through our ministry. 

Trusting in the magnanimity of the sovereign of a great nation 
whom we have been taught to respect and love, that we shall there be 
justified. 

Waiting your further order with sentiments of respect, 

Kamehamha. 
Kekauluohi. 

I hereby certify the above to be a faithful translation. 

G. P. Judd, 
Translator for the Government. 



Her Britannic Majesty's Ship Carysport, 

Woahoq, February 18, 1843. 
Sir: I have had the honor to acknowledge Your Majesty's letter of 
this day's date, wherein you intimate your intention of complying with 
my demands, which I have considered my duty to make on Your 
Majesty's Government, I appoint the hour of 2 o'clock this afternoon 
lor the interchange of salutes, and I shall expect that you will inform 
me at what hour on Monday you will be prepared to receive myself 
and Her Britannic Majesty's .Representative. 
I have the honor to be Your Majesty's most obedient humble servant, 

George Paulet, Captain. 

His Majesty Tamehameha III. 



Honolulu, Oahu, February 18, 1843. 
Salutations to Lord GeorgePaulet, captain of Her Britannic Majesty's 
ship Carysfort. 

I have received your communication and make known to you that I 
will receive yourself and Her Britannic Majesty's representative, on 
Monday, the 20 th of February, at 11 o'clock a. m. 
Yours respectfully, 

Kamehameha III. 
I hereby certify the above to be a faithful translation. 

G. P. Judd, 

Translator for the Government. 



Her Britannic Majesty's Ship Carysfort, 

Woahoo, February 17, 1843. 
Sir : I have the honor to notify you that Her Britannic Majesty's 
ship Carysfort, under my command, will be prepared to make an im- 
mediate attack ui)on this town at 4 p. m. to-morrow (Saturday) in the 
event of the demands now forwarded by me to the King of these islands 
not being complied with by this time. 
I have the honor to be, etc., 

George Paulet, 



292 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Captain Lono, 

Commanding U. 8. 8. Boston, Honolulu: 

Where are you, chiefs, people and commons from my ancestor, and 
people from foreign lands ! 

Hear ye ! I make known to you that I am in perplexity by reason of 
difficulties into which I have been brought without cause; therefore, I 
have given away the life of our land, hear ye! But my rule over you, 
my people, and your privileges will continue, for I have hope that the 
life of the land will be restored when my conduct is justified. 

Done at Honolulu, Oahu, this twenty-fifth day of February, 1843. 

Kamehameha III 
Kekaultjohi. 

Witness, 

John D. Paalua. 

I hereby certify the above to be a faithful translation. 

G. P. Judd, 
Recorder and Translator for Government, 



In consequence of the difficulties in which we find ourselves involved, 
and our opinion of the impossibility of complying with the demands in 
the manner in which they are made by Her Britannic Majesty's rep- 
resentative upon us, in reference to the claims of British subjects, we 
do hereby cede the group of islands known as the Hawaiian (or Sand- 
wich) Islands, unto the Eight Honorable Lord George Paulet, captain 
of her Britannic Majesty's ship of war Carysfort, representing Her 
Majesty, Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, from this date, 
and for the time being: the said cession being made with the reserva- 
tion that it is subject to any arrangements that may have been entered 
into by the representatives appointed by us to treat with the Govern- 
ment of Her Britannac Majesty; and in the event that no agreement 
has been executed previous to the date hereof subject to the decision of 
Her Britannic Majesty's Government on conference with the said repre- 
resentatives appointed by us; or in the event of our representatives 
not being accessible, or not having been acknowledged, subject to the 
decision which Her Britannic Majesty may pronounce on the receipt of 
full information from us, and from the liight Honorable Lord George 
Paulet. 

In confirmation of the above we hereby affix our names and seals 
this twenty-fifth day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thou- 
sand eight hundred and forty-three, at Honolulu, Oahu, Sandwich 
Islands. 

kameha3ieha iii. 
Kekaultjohi. 

Signed in the presence of— 

G. P. Judd, 
Recorder and Translator for the Government 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



293 



A provisional cession of the Hawaiian or Sandwich Islands having 
been made this day by Kaniehameha III, King, and Kekankiohi, pre- 
mier thereof, unto' me, the Eight Honorable Lord George Paulet, com- 
manding Her Britannic Majesty's ship Carysfort, on the part of Her 
Britannic Majesty, Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland; sub- 
ject to arrangements which may have been made or shall be made in 
Great Britain with the Government of Her Britannic Majesty, I do 
hereby proclaim, 

First. That the British flag shall be hoisted on all the islands of the 
group, and the natives thereof shall enjoy the protection and privileges 
of British s ibjects. 

Second. That the government thereof sliall be executed, until the 
receipt of communications from Great Britain, in the following manner, 
namely: By the native King and chiefs and the officers employed by 
them, so far as regards the native population, and by a commission con- 
sisting of King Kamehameha III, or a deputy appointed by him, the 
Bight Honorable Lord George Paulet; Duncan Forbes Mackay, esquire, 
and Lieut. Frere, R. N., in all that concerns relations with other powers 
(save and except the negotiations with the British Government), and 
the arrangements among foreigners (others than natives of the Archi- 
pelago) resident on these islands. 

Third. That the laws at present existing or which may be made at 
the ensuing council of the king and chiefs (after being communicated 
to the commission) shall be in lull force so far as natives are concerned; 
and shall form the basis of the administration of justice by the com- 
mission in matters between foreigners resident on these islands. 

Fourth. In all that relates to the collection of the revenue, the 
present officers shall be continued at the pleasure of the native King 
and chiefs, their salaries for the current year being also determined by 
them, and the archives of Goverment remaining in their hands; the 
accounts are, however, subject to inspection by the commission hereto- 
fore named. The Government vessels shall be in like manner subject, 
however, to their employment if required for Her Britannic Majesty's 
service. 

Fifth. That no sales, leases, or transfers of land shall take place by 
the action of the commission appointed as aforesaid, nor from natives to 
foreigners, during the period intervening between the 24th of this 
month and the receipt of notification from Great Britain of the arrange- 
ments made there; they shall not be valid, nor shall they receive the 
signatures of the King and premier. 

Sixth. All the existing and bona fide engagements of the native King 
and premier shall be executed and performed as if this cession had 
never been made. 

Given under my hand this 25th day of February, in the year of our 
Lord 1813 at Honolulu, Oahu, Sandwich Islands. 

George Patjlet, 
Captain of H. B. M. 8. Gary sport. 

Signed in the presence of 

G. P. Jtjdd, 
Recorder and Interpreter to the Government. 

Alexr. Simpson, 
S. B. M. Acting Consul. 



294 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



No. 23. 

U. S. Commercial Agency, 
Oalni, Sandicich Islands, March 11, 1843. 
Sir: The document herewith inclosed has been received at this office 
from His Majesty the King of these islands, with a request that it be 
forwarded to the President of the United States by the earliest oppor- 
tunity. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, etc., 

Wi. Hooper, 
Acting U. S. Commercial Agent. 

Hon. Daniel Webster, 

Secretary of State, Washingto7i City. 

[Inclosnre in Xo. 23. — Translation.] 

Kamehameha III, native King of the Sandwich Islands, to His Excellency 
John Tyler, the President of the United States of America. 

Great and Good Friend: In trouble and difficulty we present for 
consideration to the President the unfortunate situation in which we 
and our Government are placed. 

Demands upon us unsnstaiued by the acknowledged laws of nations 
and unfounded in justice were for the first time presented by Lord 
George Paulet, captain of Her British Majesty's ship Carysfort, then 
lying in the harbor of Honolulu, with a threat of coercive measures 
in case of noncompliance within nineteen hours. Our proposals for 
discussion and negotiation through our principal adviser were declined 
with rudeness, and we were compelled without a hearing to yield to 
demands which we believed to be arbitrary and unjust as regards our- 
selves, oppressive and illegal as regards foreign residents. 

We have been compelled to acknowledge an acting consul of Her Brit- 
annic Majesty against whom there were positive objections susceptible 
of explicit proof, without the grounds of our refusal being heard or con- 
sidered. The acknowledged consul of Her Britannic Majesty had sud- 
denly and secretly withdrawn from these islands without soliciting an 
interview or giving us any sort of notice of his inteutions previous to 
his departure. After his departure, we received notice that he had 
delegated his consular functions to Alexander Simpson, who was a 
known and declared enemj^ of our Government, who had openly insulted 
the chief magistrate of this island and other high officers of our appoint- 
ment, who had publicly threatened to involve us in difficulties, and 
whose recognition as consular agent was protested against by two 
British subjects who represented the chief commercial interests in these 
islands. 

Compliance has been compelled with demands, violating the obliga- 
tions of contracts and contravening laws for the collection of debts, 
which have been established for the general benefit in accordance with 
the statutes of civilized nations, by compelling us to annul the decision 
of juries after the cases had been dismissed, and to grant new trials 
contrary to law, and by compelling us to remove attachments levied by 
one British resident on the property of another in due course of law 
and under the usual formalities. 

Precluded from negotiation and unable to repel by force, we yielded 
to these requisitions, under protest, of embracing' the earliest opportu- 
nity of representing them more fully to Her Britannic Majesty. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



295 



Compliance having been thus procured to the foregoing demands, 
others were preferred by Her Britannic Majesty's acting consul (now 
acknowledged) more unjust, exorbitant and arbitrary ; claims for heavy 
indemnities where no damage was proven, and onty alleged on frivo- 
lous pretexts, and demands for damages in a case still pending under 
the previous protest to Her Britannic Majesty. We were called upon 
to violate every principle of equity, by setting aside the decision of 
juries in several cases without a,ny just cause being pretended why new 
trials should be granted; these demands were enforced at private in- 
terviews between ourselves, his lordship and Her Britannic Majesty's 
acting consul. The subject was only verbally canvassed, written ne- 
gotiations were positively refused, and even written statements and 
proof and copies of the claims preferred were denied. The only alter- 
native offered us were immediate resolve to violate the laws by acts 
illegal and oppressive, immediate admission and payment of claims to 
indemnity so loosely supported, or immediate hostilities. . 

Without force to resist hostilities, without resources to meet the 
payment of the heavy indemnities demanded, and firmly resolved to 
support law and justice, we adopted the only peaceful alternative left, 
to throw ourselves upon the generosity of the British nation by a con- 
ditional cession of these islands to Her Britannic Majesty. To have 
awaited hostilities would have been to expose to destruction the prop- 
erty and jeopardize the lives of a large number of foreign residents 
who are American citizens ; to have complied with the demands urged 
would have been to sanction oppressive and illegal acts affecting the 
rights and prospects of American citizens also, and an open violation 
of the stipulations with the United States in 182(3. 

Placed in difficulties from which we could not extricate ourselves 
with honor and justice, compelled to immediate decision, and threat- 
ened with immediate hostilities we have, with the advice and consent 
of our chiefs, signed with a heavy hand and many tears the deed of 
provisional cession and have permitted the British flag to be planted 
in all our islands, but under the guns of a frigate and at the point of 
the bayonet. 

Belying on the magnanimity and firmness of the United States, we 
appeal to the President to interpose the high influence of the United 
States with the court of England to grant us an impartial hearing and 
procure us justice, to induce Her British Majesty to withdraw from the 
sovereignty of these islands and leave us as we have been — an inde- 
pendent government supported in our right. 

We have labored to civilize and improve our islands; we have 
adopted the laws of the United States and of Britain ; we have appointed 
upright and capable American citizens and British subjects to offices 
of trust and responsibility, in order that their functions might be exer- 
cised wiih energy and fidelity; we have adopted all suggestions which 
would tend to put the commercial intercourse of American citizens 
with us upon the best footing; we have been gratified with the large 
and increasing number of American residents. We confidently appeal 
to the Americans on these islands engaged in mercantile and commer- 
cial pursuits to testify to the honesty of our intentions and our capa- 
bilities for self-government, and we acknowledge them to have been 
the most consistent and efficient supporters of our Government. 

We look to the United States with peculiar feelings of respect and 
gratitude. To the benevolence and enterprise of that great people we 
owe the introduction of the Christian religion, of civilization and laws 



296 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



of commerce and agriculture, and the large and respectable number of 
our foreign residents. 

We ask of you to secure and preserve the great interests common to 
us and you, and arrest the course of events so prejudicial to both; and 
we shall never cease to be grateful for your aid. 

And we pray to the Almighty God to have your excellency, our great 
and good friend, in his most holy keeping. 

Written at Honolulu, Island of Oahu, Hawaiian (Sandwich) Islands, 
this 10th day of March, anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and 
forty three. 

By your good friend, 



Kamehameha III. 
Premier Kekauluohi. 



SEAL. 
SEAL.] 



No. 28.] U. S. Commercial Agency, 

Sandwich Islands, August 15, 1843. 

Sir: I have the honor to announce to you the arrival at this port, on 
the 26th ultimo, of H. B. M. Frigate Dublin, from Yalpao, and of the 
restoration of the sovereignty of this group of islands to His Majesty 
the King thereof by Bear Admiral Thomas. 

It appears that the acts of Capt. Paulet were entirely unauthorized by 
the British Government, or the commander of the British naval force 
in the Pacific. 

The U. S. Ship Constellation arrived at these islands some time prior 
to the restoration of the Hawaiian flag by Admiral Thomas, and Com. 
Kearny receiving official information from me of the transaction of 
Capt. Paulet issued a protest, a copy of which is herewith inclosed. 

The protest of the King against Lord Paulet, A, and the declaration 
of Admiral Thomas, Hoc. C, are herewith inclosed for the information 
of the State Department. 

The restoration of the Government of these islands to the native 
chiefs is as gratifying to the American residents here as it must be to 
the Government of the United States. 

With sentiments of the highest consideration, etc. 

Wm. Hooper, 
Acting TJ. S. Commercial Agent. 

Hon. Daniel Webster, 

Secretary of State, Washington. 



Know all men that, according to private instructions given to our 
deputy, he on the 10th of May, issued a protest on our behalf in the fol- 
lowing words: 

"Whereas the undersigned was, by commission dated February 27, 
1843, appointed deputy for His Majesty Kamehameha III to the British 
Commission for the Government of the Sandwich Islands, under the pro- 
visional cession thereof unto Her Most Gracious Majesty Victoria, 
Queen of the United Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland; 

"And whereas in the prosecution of business by the commissioners 
many acts have been passed and consummated affecting the interests of 
foreigners residing on the islands, and by acts which virtually abrogate 
the bona fide obligations of the Government existing at the period of 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



297 



the piovisional cession, to which acts the said Kamehameha III did 
refuse through me, his deputy; 

" And whereas, by an order issued April 27, 1843, to the acting gover- 
nor of Oaliu, and by subsequent orders dated May 8, 1843, issued to all 
the governors of these Sandwich Islands, the commissioners, to wit, 
the lit. Hon. Lord George Paulet, captain of H. B. M ship Carysfort, 
aud Lieut. John Frere, K. N., did virtually abrogate one of the exist- 
ing laws of these islands by forbidding the imprisonment of persons 
found guilty of fornication, except in certain cases not specified in the 
laws, as will appear more fully upon reference to said orders, violating 
thereby the solemn compact entered into under the provisional cession; 

"Now, therefore, be it known to all men that I, the said deputy for 
the said King Kamehameha III, do by these presents enter this my 
most solemn protest against the acts, especially those above recited, of 
the said commissioners, which have not the signature and approbation 
of me, the said deputy, as will appear more fully upon reference to the 
records of said commission. 

"And I do hereby most solemnly protest against the said Rt. Hon. 
Lord George Paulet and Lieut. Frere, commissioners aforesaid, and all 
others whom it may concern, holding them responsible for their viola- 
tion of the solemn compact or treaty entered into on the 25th day of 
February, 1843. 

"G. P. JUDD, 

"for the King. 

66 Honolulu, Oahu, Sandwich Islands, May 10, 1813? 

On the next day our deputy withdrew from the British commission 
by the following document, acting in our place and stead: 

"Whereas the undersigned deputy for the King Kamehameha III 
did, on the 10th day of May, instant, enter his protest against certain 
acts of the British commission lor the Government of the Sandwich 
Islands ; 

" And whereas the undersigned has been verbally informed this day 
by the Et. Hon. Lord George Paulet and Lieut. Frere that one of the 
laws as made at the recent Council of the King and Chiefs, viz, i A 
law for the licensing of public auctioneers/ shall not go into opera- 
tion ; 

"And whereas it now appearing evident to the undersigned that 
the terms of the compact or treaty entered into on the 25th February, 
1843, will not in future be respected by the British commission; 

"Therefore be it known to all men that I, the said deputy, do by 
these presents resign my seat in the said commission, thereby with- 
drawing the said King Kamehameha III from all future responsibili- 
ties in the acts of the said commission. 

"Hone at Oaliu Sandwich Islands, at the office of the British com- 
mission for the Government of the Sandwich Islands, this 11th day of 
May, A. D 1843. 

"G. P. Judd, 

u Deputy for the King? 

We therefore publicly make known that we, Kamehameha III, the 
King, fully approve and acknowledge the protest and withdrawal of 
our deputy as our own, and declare that we will no more sit with the 
British commissioners, or be responsible for any act of theirs w hick 
may encroach on the rights of foreigners. 



298 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



The Bt. Hon. Lord George Paulet and his Lieutenant, JohnFrere, hav- 
ing enlisted soldiers under the title of " the Queen's Begiment'', maintain- 
ing them as a standing army out of funds appropriated by us for the 
payment of our just debts, whieh expense we consider quite uncalled 
for and useless ; they having enforced their demand for the payment 
of the money by a threat of deposing from his trust an officer of the 
treasury, although contrary to the orders of the King and premier to 
him, made known to the British Commissioners; 

By these oppressions, by the trial of natives for alleged offenses 
against the native Government, cases which come not properly under 
their cognizance, and by their violating the la ,vs which, by the treaty, 
were to have been held sacred until Ave hear from England; we are 
oppressed and injured, and feel confident that all good men will sym- 
pathize with us in our present state of distress; and now we protest 
in the face of all men against all such proceedings both towards our- 
selves and foreigners, subjects of other governments, on the part of 
the Rt. Hon. Lord George Paulet, captain of H. B. ship Carysfortj 
and his lieutenant, John Frere, E. IN"., and take the world to witness • 
that they have broken faith with us. 

Lahaina Matti, Sandwich Islands, June 24 } 1843. 

By me, (Signed) Kamehameha III. 

By me, (Signed) Kekatjluohi, 

Premier. 



His Majesty Kamehameha III, 

King of the Sandwich Islands: 

In the name and on behalf of the people of the United States of 
America and their Government, which the undersigned has the honor 
to represent, and in order to explain clearly for the information of all 
concerned is issued a protest. 

Whereas a provisional cession of the Hawaiian or Sandwich Islands 
was made by His Majesty Kamehameha III and Kekauluohi, premier 
thereof, unto the Hon. George Paulet, commanding Her Britannic 
Majesty's ship Carysfort (to wit) on the 25th day of February, 1813, 
and whereas, the United States' interests and those of their citizens 
resident on the aforesaid Hawaiian Islands are deeply involved in a 
seizure of His Majesty's Government under the circumstances; as well 
as in the act of the aforesaid King and premier acceding thereto under 
protest or otherwise, to affect the interests before cited : Now, there- 
fore, be it known that I solemnly protest against every act and measure 
in the premises; and do declare that from and after #the day of said 
cession until the termination of the pending negotiations between His 
Majesty's envoys and the Government of Her Britannic Majesty, I hold 
His Majesty Kamehameha III and Oapt. Lord George Paulet answer- 
able for any and every act, by which a citizen of the United States 
resident as aforesaid shall be restrained in his just and undisputed 
rights and privileges, or who may suffer ineonvenience or losses, or be 
forced to submit to any additional charges on imports or other revenue 
matters, or exactions in regard to the administration of any municipal 
laws whatever enacted by the "Commission" consisting of His Majesty 
King Kamehameha III, or his deputy of the aforesaid islands and the 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



299 



Eight Hon. Lord George Paulet, Duncan Forbes Mackay, esq., and 
Lieut. John Frere, R. 1ST. 

Given under my hand on board the U. S. Ship Constellation, at 
anchor off Honolulu, Oahu, this 11th day of July, 1843. 

Lawrence Kearney, 
Commander -in- Chief of the U. S. Naval force in the East Indies, 



Her Britannic Majesty's Ship Dublin, 

Off Honolulu, July 26, 1843. 
Sir : It being my desire to obtain the honor of a personal interview 
with His Majesty King Kamehameha III, for the purpose of confer- 
ring with His Majesty on the subject of the provisional cession of his 
dominions, I have to request that you will be pleased to intimate my . 
wishes to His Majesty in order that he may appoint the time and place 
where such interview may be held. 

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 

Richard Thomas, 
Rear Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of H. B. M. 

Ships and Vessels in the Pacific. 

To Kekuanaoa, 

Governor of Oahu. 



[With Mr. Hooper's No. 28.] 
DECLARATION. 

Of Bear-Admiral Thomas, Commander in Chief of Her Britannic 
Majesty's ship and vessels in the Pacific, in relation to the events which 
transpired at the Sandwich Islands, and consequent upon the visit of 
Her Britannic Majesty's Ship Carysfort in February, 1843. 

To King Kamehameha III and the Principal Chiefs of the 
Sandwich Islands: Immediately that the commander in chief was 
made acquainted in Valparasio in June, 1843, of the provisional cession 
of the Hawaiian Islands unto the Right Honorable Lord George Paulet, 
as the then and there representative of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, 
he hastened to the spot to make himself fully acquainted with all the 
circumstances and, if possible, the motives which led to such an un- 
looked for event. 

His first duty on arrival was to seek a personal interview with His 
Majesty Kamehameha III, and to ascertain whether these difficulties 
in which he found himself involved, and the opinion which His Majesty 
appeared to entertain of the impossibility of complying with certain 
requisitions which had been made, were so utterly insurmountable as 
to call upon him to renounce the sovereignty of these islands for the 
time being, likewise whether the cession was a free unbiased and un- 
solicited act of sovereign power. 

The rear-admiral having ascertained that the difficulties to which al- 
lusion is made in the deed of cession might be surmounted, having con- 
vinced His Majesty that he had not properly understood the principles 
of justice and good faith which invariably guide the councils of Her 
Majesty, the Queen of Great Britain, in all their deliberations, partic- 



300 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



ularly respecting their relations with foreign powers, and that whenever 
it becomes necessary to vindicate the rights of British subjects or re- 
dress their wrongs the government scrupulously respects those rights 
which are vested in all nations in an equal degree, whether they be 
powerful or weak, making it, therefore, a rule not to resort to force un- 
til every expedient for an amicable adjustment has failed, having, more- 
over, learned that His Majesty entertained the hope that his conduct 
was capable of justification, and that such justification he thought 
would restore to him the authority he had ceded under supposed diffi- 
culties, and having, moreover, assured His Majesty that whilst it 
is the earnest desire of the Government of Great Britain to cul- 
tivate by every means a good understanding with every independ- 
ent nation, and to prevent any of its subjects from injuring those 
of other sovereigns, either in person or property, wherever they 
may be located, and that when it can be avoided rather than 
* urge compliance with demands which are likely to embarrass a feeble 
Government, its object is to foster and even assist by kind advice or 
good offices such as may be disposed to seek its friendly interposition, 
requiring in return only equal privileges for such British residents as 
may have been granted to the subjects of the most favored nation. 
Lastly, His Majesty has given his assent to new proposals submitted 
to him for the amicable adjustment of the pending differences which 
led to the temporary cession of his authority. The commander-in-chief 
of Her Britannic Majesty's ships and vessels in the Pacific, for the 
reasons herein stated and as the highest local representative of Her 
Majesty Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great 
Britain and Ireland, hereby declares and makes manifest that he does 
not accept ot the provisional cession of the Hawaiian Islands, made 
on the 25th day of February, 1843, but that he considers His Majesty 
Kamchamejia III the legitimate King of those islands, and he assures 
His Majesty that the sentiments of his Sovereign towards him are those 
of unvarying friendship and esteem, that Her Majesty sincerely desires 
King Kamehameha to be treated as an independent sovereign, leaving 
the administration of justice in his own hands, the faithful discharge 
of which will promote his happiness and the prosperity of his do- 
minions. 

Although it is the duty of every sovereign and his ministers and 
counselors to do all in their power to prevent any of their subjects 
from injuring those of any other nation residing among them; nay 
more, that he ought not to permit foreigners to settle in his territory 
unless he engages to protect them as his own subjects, and to afford 
them perfect security as far as regards himself; yet Great Britain will 
not consider the public character of the legitimate sovereign of a state 
but recently emerged from barbarism, under the fostering care of civ- 
ilized nations, as at all implicated by the aggression of some of his sub- 
jects, provided the Government does not directly or indirectly sanction 
any acts of partiality or injustice, either by conniving at whilst they 
are planning or being executed or by allowing the perpetrators to re- 
main unpunished. 

If, unfortunately, a case should occur in which there is an evasion or 
denial of justice on the part of the Government towards British sub- 
jects, the cour se to be pursued is clear, and it would then be the duty 
of the commander-in chief, in such case of real grievance which shall 
remain unredressed, to obtain that which bad faith and injustice have 
denied. 

The commander-in-chief confidently hopes that this act of restora- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



301 



tion to the free exercise of his sovereign authority will be received by 
the King of the Sandwich Islands as a most powerful and convincing 
proof, not only of the responsibility he is under to render immediate 
reparation for real wrongs committed upon British subjects or their 
property, but also of the importance which attaches to the maintenance 
of those friendly and reciprocally advantageous relations which have 
for so many years subsisted between the two nations; and he further 
hopes that neither His Majesty nor his successors will ever forget that 
to the illustrious circumnavigator Capt. Cook, as the first discoverer, 
the inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands owe their admission into the 
great family of civilized man, and from the lips of Vancouver (another 
Englishman) Xamehaineha I heard mention for the first time of the 
true God, which ultimately led to the abrogation of a false worship, 
idolatry, and human sacrifices, and by the well-directed energies, the 
ceaseless perseverance of the American missionaries to the establish- 
ment of a religion pure and undenled, accompanied by the advantages 
of instruction and civilization, the which combined and duly cultivated 
bring in their train security of life and property, social order, mental 
and moral improvement, internal prosperity, and the respect as well as 
good will of other nations more advanced in the knowledge of the true 
faith and the science of good government. 

Blessings and advantages of this nature the government of Great 
Britain is desirous of increasing and promoting among the inhabitants 
of the Sandwich Islands by every honorable and praiseworthy means 
in its power, and thus to enlist the sympathies of the sovereign and 
his ministers on the side of justice, which is the basis of all society 
and the surest bond of all commerce. 

Given on board Her Britannic Majesty's ship Dublin, at Honolulu, 
island of Oahu, this thirty-first day of July, in the year of our Lord 
one thousand eight hundred and forty-three. 

Bichakd Thomas. 



No. 1.] . Department of State, 

Washington, loth March, 1843. 
Sir: The accompanying message of the President to Congress of 
the 30th of December last, transmitting a correspondence between 
this Department and certain agents of the Sandwich Islands then in 
this city, will acquaint you with the view which he entertains of the 
relations between the United States and those islands, and with the 
objects and motives of this Government for cultivating and strength- 
ening those relations. Congress having complied with his suggestions . 
by providing for a Commissioner to reside at the islands, you have been 
chosen for that purpose. A commission appointing you to the office 
will be found among the papers which you will receive herewith, and 
a letter from this Department addressed to that minister of the King 
of the islands who may be charged with their foreign relations, accred- 
iting you in your official character. The title selected for your mission 
has reference in part to its purposes. It is not deemed expedient at 
this juncture fully to recognize the independence of the islands or the 
right of their Government to that equality of treatment and consider- 
ation which is due and usually allowed to those Governments to which 
we send and from which we receive diplomatic agents «yif the ordinary 
ranks. By this, however, it is not oneaut to intimate that the islands, 



302 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



so far as regards all other powers, are not entirely independent; on 
the contrary, this is a fact respecting which no doubt is felt, and the 
hope that through the agency of the Commissioner that independence 
might be preserved, has probably, in a great degree, led to the com- 
pliance by Congress with the recommendation of the President. 

It is obvious, from circumstances connected with their position, that 
the interests of the United States require that no other power should 
possess or colonize the Sandwich Islands, or exercise over their Gov- 
ernment an influence which would lead to partial or exclusive favors in 
matters of navigation or trade. One of your principal duties therefore, 
will be to watch the movements of such agents of other Governments 
as may visit the islands. You will endeavor to obtain the earliest in- 
telligence respecting the objects of those visits, and if you should think 
that, if accomplished, they would be derrimental to the interests of the 
United States, you will make such representations to the authorities 
of the islands as in your judgment would be most likely to further 
them. You will also endeavor to impress upon those authorities the 
necessity of abstaining from giving just cause of complaint to the Gov- 
ernments of those powers whose policy is to increase their possessions 
and multiply their colonies abroad. This duty can best be performed 
by the prompt and impartial administration of justice according to the 
laws and customs of the islands, in such cases of difference as may 
occur between their officers^ and citizens and the officers, citizens, or 
subjects of other Governments. 

You will give the Government of the Sandwich Islands distinctly 
to understand that the Government of the United States in all its pro- 
ceedings, and in setting on foot your mission, has not in any degree 
been actuated by a desire or intention to secure to itself exclusive 
privileges in matters of navigation or trade, or to prevent any or all 
other commercial nations from an equal participation with ourselves in 
the benefits of an intercourse with those islands. We seek no control 
over their Government, nor any undue influence whatever. Our only 
wish is that the integrity and independence of the Hawaiian territory 
may be scrupulously maintained and that its Government should be 
entirely impartial towards foreigners of every nation. In making reso- 
lute and stern resistance, therefore, to any claim of favor or exclusive 
privilege by other powers, you will at all times frankly disavow any 
desire that favors or exclusive privileges should be granted to the 
United States, their ships, commerce, or citizens. 

You will transmit to the Department full and exact information 
respecting the trade of the United States and of other nations with the 
islands. Any, suggestions which may occur to you having in view any 
improvement of the commerce of the United States with the islands 
will be acceptable. Your attention is particularly requested to the 
nature of the fiscal regulations in force there, to their effects upon for- 
eign commerce generally, and to the policy of the Government in regard 
to this subject. If those regulations sh#uld be frequently changed, or 
if there should be cause to apprehend the imposition of discriminating 
duties upon our navigation and trade, the expediency of negotiating a 
treaty with that Government which would determine for a series of years 
the reciprocal rights and duties of the parties in regard to those sub- 
jects will be taken into consideration. 

After you shall have resided long enough at the Sandwich Islands 
to have made yourself familiar with the state of public affairs there, and 
shall have communicated to the Department the results of your obser- 
vations; you may make a visit to the Society Islands for the purpose of 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



303 



examining and reporting upon their condition and prospects. It is 
advisable^ however, that your absence from your post should not be 
prolonged beyond the period absolutely necessary for that purpose. 

# # . * # # # # 

I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

Daniel Webstee. 

George Brown, Esq., 
Appointed Commissioner of the United States 

for the Sandwich Islands. 



[From Mr. Brown's dispatch, No. 5, of October 26, 1843.] 

Sir : I arrived here on the 16th instant, and found here Commodore 
Dallas, who arrived in the Erie a few days before me, also the Gyane, 
Commander Stribling. Admiral Thomas, commanding the English 
naval forces in the Pacific, was also here, having, as you must have 
learned ere receiving this, restored the Hag to the King of Hawaii. 

Commodore Dallas having offered me the Cyane to carry me to 
Lahaina, Maui, the residence of the King, for the purpose of present- 
ing my credentials to the Government, I visited her yesterday and 
was received with a salute of thirteen guns. This morning, on arriv- 
ing on board, was informed that the admiral intended to dispatch the 
corvette Hazard for Mazatlan on Saturday, and, as we are under way, 
have no time to write as I could wish, being obliged to send this back 
by the pilot. Everything, however, appears to be going on as we could 
wish. The admiral appears to have done everything that could have 
been required to satisfy the King. He appears to be a very fine man, 
and the conduct of Lord George Paulet is a sore subject to him. The 
most charitable construction I have heard put upon the conduct of 
Lord George is that he was partially deranged. 

Mr. Hooper, United States commercial agent, informs me that he 
has pent to the State Department a full account of all that has hap- 
pened previous to my arrival. The m eagerness of this dispatch I hope 
therefore will be excused. The English corvette Champion arrived 
yesterday from Valparaiso, which is the occasion of the Hazard being 
ordered to Mazatlan so soon, thereby giving me so little time to write. 
On my return from Mani will write you fully of all my proceedings. It 
affords me much pleasure to know that the President has availed him- 
self of your talents and services in the State Department. 

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your very obedient 
servant, 

Geo. Brown. 

Hon. Abel P. Upshur, 

Secretary of State, Washington. 



[From Mr= Brown's dispatch No. 6, of ISTovemher 4, 1843.] 

Honolulu, November 4, 1843. 
Sir: I last had the honor of addressing you on the 26th ultimo from 
on board the U. S. S. Gyane, on my passage from this place to Lahaina. 
jSTot being informed until after the ship was under way that the English 
admiral was about dispatching a vessel for Mexico, I had only time to 



304 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



inform you of my arrival here, and of my being on my way to present 
my credentials to the premier who was residing at Lahaina, Mani. 

I arrived here from Tahiti in the brig Catharine on the 16th ultimo, 
after a passage of 28 days, and found, much to my gratification, that 
the En-glish admiral, Thomas, had restored the flag "to the King, and 
placed the islands again under its native government. It willbe unneces- 
sary for me to give you a history of the doings of Lord George Paulet 
previous to the arrival of the admiral, or of the proceedings of the 
latter, as I am informed by Mr. Hooper, our acting commercial agent 
here, that he has written you fully on the subject, giving you every 
information requisite. I will therefore only say that, from what I have 
so far learned, both the Government here and the American residents 
are perfectly satisfied with what the admiral has done. There are 
some questions and cases arising out of the usurpation of Lord George 
which are not yet settled, but will have to wait for the arrival of the 
British commissioner or for the action of the British Government, but 
there appears no doubt that everything will be amicably and properly 
arranged. 

Learning on my arrival that the King was absent from his usual resi- 
dence at Lahaina, on a visit to the island of Hawaii, and that he would 
not return until the 27th, I remained here until the 26th, when I took 
passage on board the Cyane, which ship had been placed at my disposal 
by Commodore Dallas, for Lahaina. I arrived there on the 30th at 8 
a. in., accompanied by Dr. Judd, the Government interpreter, and 
wrote a note to the premier, informing her (him ?) of my arrival, and re- 
questing to know at what time it would be convenient for her to re- 
ceive me. I received an answer that she would be ready at half past 
twelve. 

On leaving the ship I was saluted with thirteen guns, and on land- 
ing was received by a number of the high chiefs and conducted to the 
house of Kekaumohi, the premier, whom, on introduction by Mr. Judd, 
I addressed as follows : 

I have the honor to present to your excellency my credentials as commissioner 
from the Government of th"e United States to the King of Hawaii, and 1 beg to assure 
your excellency that it will afford me much pleasure in carrying out the instructions 
of my Government to cultivate the friendship of the Hawaiian Government and to 
deserve it by all the good offices in my power. 

After the credentials were read the premier replied in the following 
terms as interpreted to me : 

I am happy to see you here as the representative of a nation to whom we owe sc 
much and whose friendship and good will we so highly value and that we shall 
always endeavor to retain. Your credentials are highly satisfactory. 

I was then asked whether I wished to be introduced to the King, 
and on replying in the affimative, the premier handed me a letter of 
introduction, observing that on account of lameness she could not ac- 
company me. I was attended, as heretofore, by a number of the high 
officers of Government, and on arriving at the house of the King found 
him waiting for me dressed in regimentals and attended by the gov- 
ernor of Mani and his aides. On entering he came forward and took 
me by the hand, requesting me to be seated. I handed him the pre- 
mier's letter, which he read. I then rose and addressed him as follows, 
which was translated by Mr. Judd : 

Sir: Having beeji appointed by the President of the United States of America a 
commissioner to reside in the dominions of Your Majesty, I have taken the earliest 
opportunity to pay you my respects. While my Government expects no exclusive 
privileges/aiid has no desire or intention to prevent any or all other commercial na- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



305 



tions from an equal participation in the benefits to he derived from an intercourse 
with your islands, and seeks no control or undue influence whatever, it has a right 
to expect that no partial or exclusive favors he granted to other nations. The wish 
of my Government is that the independence of the Hawaiian territory may he scru- 
pulously maintained, and that its Government should he impartial towards foreign- 
ers of every nation. 

Allow me to congratulate Your Majesty upon the interest taken in you and your 
people by one of the most powerful and free nations of the earth, as evinced by the 
unanimous vote of its representatives that a diplomatic intercourse should be opened 
with yoii. It must be a matter of great satisfaction to Your Majesty to think that 
while not a quarter of a century has elapsed since your country was in a state of 
heathenism, such progress has been made in civilization and Christianity that you 
are about to be admitted into the communion of nations who for ages have had ad- 
vantages which have made them powerful and happy. 

Next to the gratitude due from you to the Almighty Disposer of Events, you owe 
under Him, to those who, for the welfare of your people, left their friends and 
country to teach them (you) the blessings of Christianity and the arts of civilization, 
a debt which can only be paid by the knowledge that their efforts have not been in 
vain. 

I assure Your Majesty that it will afford me great pleasure to be the means of unit- 
ing more closely the relations heretofore of the most friendly kind between the Gov- 
ernment of the Hawaiian Archipelago and my own, and to further by everything in 
my power a reciprocal feeling of friendship and good will. 

To which His Majesty replied as follows, which was also translated 
by Mr. Judd : 

I am much gratified at being informed by the premier of your arrival, and am 
happy to receive you as a representative of the United States of America whose 
Government is much respected by me, and whose people have made great efforts to 
promote civilization and Christianity among my people. 

I thank you for the kind sentiments you have expressed, and trust there will never 
be any alienation between my Government and yours. You may assure your Gov- 
ernment that I shall always consider the citizens of the United States as entitled to 
equal privileges with those of the most favored nations. 

• «•*#** 



Declaration of Great Britain and France relative to the independence of 
the Sandwich Islands, London, November 28, 1843. 

Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain 
and Ireland, and His Majesty the King of the French, taking into con- 
sideration the existence in the Sandwich Islands of a government 
capable of providing for the regularity of its relations with foreign 
nations, have thought it right to engage, reciprocally, to consider the 
Sandwich Islands as an independent state, and never to take posses- 
sion, either directly or under the title of protectorate, or under any 
other form, of any part of the territory of which they are composed, 

The undersigned, Her Majesty's principal secretary of state for for- 
eign affairs and the ambassador extraordinary of His Majesty the 
King of the French, at the court of London, being furnished with the 
necessary powers, hereby declare in consequence that their said maj- 
esties take reciprocally that engagement. 

In witness whereof the undersigned have signed the present declar- 
ation, and have affixed thereto the seal of their arms. 

Bone in duplicate at London^ the 28th day of November ? in the year 
of our Lord, 1813. 



L. s. 
L. S. 



Aberdeen. 
H, Ex, 48 20 



306 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Convention of commerce, navigation, etc., betiveen Great Britain and the 
Sandwich Islands.* Signed at Lahaina, February 12, 1844. t 

The differences which existed between the governments of Great 
Britain and of the Sandwich Islands having been happily settled, the 
following articles of agreement have been mutually entered into be- 
tween the King of the Sandwich Islands, on the one part, and William 
- Miller, esq., Her Britannic Majesty's consul-general for the Sandwich 
and other islands in the Pacific, in the name and on the behalf of Her 
Britannio Majesty, on the other part, for the preservation of harmony, 
and the prevention of future misunderstanding between the two parties. 

Article I. There shall be perpetual peace and amity between Her 
Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 
and the King of the Sandwich Islands, their heirs and successors. 

II. The subjects of Her Britannic Majesty shall be protected in an 
efficient manner in their persons and properties by the King of the 
Sandwich Islands, who shall cause them to enjoy impartially, in all 
cases in which their interests are concerned, the same rights and privi- 
leges as natives, or as are enjoyed by any other foreigners. 

III. No British subject accused of any crime whatever shall be judged 
otherwise than by a jury composed of froeign residents, proposed by 
the British consul and accepted by the Government of the Sandwich 
Islands. 

IV. The protection of the King of the Sandwich Islands shall be ex- 
tended to all British vessels, their officers, and crews. In case of ship- 
wreck, the chiefs and inhabitants of the different parts of the Sand- 
wich Islands shall succour them and secure them from plunder. 

The salvage dues shall be regulated, in case of difficulties, by arbi- 
trators freely chosen by both parties. 

Y. The desertion of seamen embarked on board of British vessels 
shall be severely repressed by the local authorities, who shall employ 
all the means at their disposal to arrest deserters ; and all reasonable 
expenses of capture shall be defrayed by the captains or owners of the 
said vessels. 

VI. British merchandise, or goods recognized as coming from the 
British dominions, shall not be prohibited, nor shall they be subject to 
an import duty higher than 5 per cent ad valorem. 

VII. JSTo tonnage, import, or other duties shall be levied on British 
vessels or goods, or on goods imported in British vessels, beyond what 
are levied on the vessels or goods of the most favored nation. 

VIII. The subjects of the King of the Sandwich Islands shall, in their 
commercial and other relations with Great Britain, be treated on the 
footing of t*he most favored nation. 

Done at Lahaina, the 12th day of February, 1844. 

l. s.] Wi. Miller. 

l. s.] Kamehameha III. 

l. s.] Kekaultjohi. 

Signed in the presence of: 

G. P. JUDD, 

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. 
Egbert 0. Wyllie, 

Secretary to Consul- General Miller. 

* Signed in English, and in the language of the Sandwich Islands, 
t Annulled by Convention of March 26, 1846, Vol. xxxiv, p. 22 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



307 



ADDITIONAL AIITICLE. 

His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands being anxious to 
suppress intemperance within his dominions, and with that view hav- 
ing taken measures to obtain the consent of the French Government to 
the abrogation of Article VI of the treaty of July 17, 1839,* which ad- 
mits the introduction of spirits and wine, on payment of a duty of 5 
per cent; it is hereby further agreed, that if His Majesty the King of 
the French should consent to the abrogation or to any alteration of the 
said article, Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain will likewise 
con sent -so to alter Article VI of the foregoing treaty as that it may 
have precisely the same effect in what relates to intoxicating liquors; 
and that this additional article shall be referred to the British Govern- 
ment for approval, to be afterward appended to the convention at pres- 
ent agreed to. 

[l. s.] Wm. Miller. 

[l. s.] Kamehameiia III. 

[l s.J Kekauluohi. 



CASE OF JOHN WILEY. 

[Before the governor of Oa.hu, assisted by Hon. G. P. Jucld and J. Kieord, esq., H. 
H. M. attorney-general, at the Fort, September 4, 1844.] 

John Wiley, plaintiff on appeal, vs. The Hawaiian Government. 

This was an appeal from the judgment of the inferior judges of Hon- 
olulu. The present inaintiff in error had been charged before the court 
below with the commission of a rape upon the body of , an Ha- 
waiian girl, a subject of His Majesty; and proof having been adduced 
to the satisfaction of the inferior judges, they condemned the present 
plaintiff in error to pay the statute fine of $50. This line the plaintiff 
having paid, he appealed to the governor, and demanded a jury under 
the Hawaiian statute law, complying therewith by depositing the sum 
of $25, required by the statute to entitle him to a jury. The governor 
having giveu the usual notice of drawing the jury of appeal, he pro- 
ceeded on the day appointed to draw a mixed jury of half Hawaiian 
subjects and half foreigners, required in such cases by the printed stat- 
ute law. In the interval William Hooper, esq., claimed for his Govern- 
ment the right of selecting and proposing to the governor an entire 
panel of foreign jurors, to try the accused for the crime charged against 
him, which the governor declined on the ground that he was governed 
in his administration of justice by the printed law of the land and that 
there was no treaty extant between His Hawaiian Majesty and the 
United States of America which authorized him to deviate from the 
statute. 

On the day of trial above named the plaintiff Wiley appeared by 
his attorney, Richard Ford, and in person, and expressed his readiness 
to pioceed to trial, but before the jury were actually impaneled Wil- 
liam Hooper, esq., United States commercial agent, appeared before 

*VI. Les niarchandises francaises, oti reconnues etre de provenance francaise, 
notainment les vins et les eaux-de-vie, ne pourront etre prohibees ni payer uii droit 
d'entrde plus eleve' que 5 pour cent ad valorem. 



308 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



the court and made out and desired to have entered on its minutes the 
following protest: 

Before the court proceeds to the trial of Mr. Wiley, I beg to state that by a treaty 
entered into between this (Joverninent and that of Great Britain, on the 12th Febru- 
ary last, the subjects of the latter were secured in the privilege of being tried, when 
charged with crime against the laws of this country, by a jury appointed by their 
consul, that I claim, in virtue of the assurance given to Mr. Brown, the United 
States commissioner, by His Majesty the King in October last, which secured to 
citizens of the United States equal privileges with those of the most favored nation, 
that Mr. Wiley, the defendant, is entitled to a jury appointed by me, as acting 
United States consul. 

The court, as at present constituted, I protest against, and request that it may be 
entered on the records of the court. 

Wm. Hooper, 
Acting United States Consular Agent. 
Honolulu, September 4, 1844. ^..ocflX 

Upon which protest the court decided as follows : 

The decision of this court upon the protest of William Hooper, esq., vice-commer- 
cial agent of the United States, now entered on the minutes, is, that there is a law 
in the statute books of this Government, which the accused is charged with having 
violated, and that at the time of violating that statute there was and still is. also in 
the statute book, a law regulating the drawing of juries in the Hawaiian Islands, 
which is obligatory upon this court. This court knows of no treaty extant with the 
United States that authorizes it, under the oaths of the judges, to depart from the 
law concerning juries, and it can not conscientiously take cognizance of any diplo- 
matic correspondence between the Secretary of State for foreign affairs and the 
resident ministers of other powers ; nor is this court authorized to look into treaties 
with other powers for the purpose of according analogous privileges to a nation not 
actually in treaty with His Hawaiian Majesty, especially when according them 
would infract a statute law by which this court is clearly bound. 

The plaintiff, John Wiley, is under the protection of this court, who are bound to 
give him the chances of the jury box, and not suffer a foreign consul to pick a jury 
who might be selected to convict him. 

Hereupon, before the jury were actually sworn, the United States 
vice- commercial agent advised the plaintiff to withdraw his appeal, 
which he accordingly did, and the court thereupon nonsuited the plain- 
tiff and decided that his withdrawal was, in law, tantamount to an 
affirmance of the judgment of the inferior judges, which had been 
already satisfied, and they further adjudged the plaintiff to have for- 
feited the $25 deposited for drawing the jury of appeal. The court inti- 
mated that William Hooper, esq., was liable to the plaintiff in error 
for having misguided him in a manner prej ndicial to his private rights, 
and left him to his remedy. 



Mr. Calhoun to Mr. Brown. ' 

No. 4.] Department of State, 

Washington, January 20, 1845. 
Sir : Your dispatches to No. 16, inclusive, have been received. It is 
to be regretted that a case like that of Mr. John Wiley, to which the 
last principally relates, should have occurred so soon after the recog- 
nition of the Hawaiian Government by that of the United States. Your 
course in regard to it is approved by the President, who concurs in the 
views which you express. Notwithstanding the United States have no 
treaty stipulation with the Government of the islands, they can not, 
under the circumstances, consent that the privilege of being tried by a 
jury of foreigners shall be withheld from our citizens while it is accorded 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



309 



to the subjects of Great Britain and France. We have every reason to 
expect our citizens shall have, in the dominions of that Government, the 
same privileges as the citizens or subjects of the most favored nation. 
Yon will accordingly communicate these views to the minister for for- 
eign affairs and repeat, in the name of the Government of the United 
States, your firm protest against the proceedings of the Hawaiian au- 
thorities in regard to Mr. Wiley, assuring him in the strongest terms 
that the United States will not submit to discrimination so unjust in 
their nature and so unfriendly in spirit as respects their citizens, andl 
that the Government of the islands will be held responsible for alii 
damages which may have been sustained in this case, or which may 
hereafter be sustained by citizens of the United States under similar 
circumstances. 

The United States, if it be desired by the Hawaiian Government, 
are willing to enter into treaty stipulations on the basis of those now 
existing between it and Great Britain, and I herewith transmit to you 
full powers to conclude such a convention. But it is to be understood 
that the treaty is not to bar the claim for damages in the case of Mr. 
Wiley (if any have been sustained), nor of any citizen or citizens of the 
United States for injuries accruing prior to its adoption, should it be 
made. I have further to say that if Great Britain or France should 
hereafter consent, in cases involving the rights of their respective citi- 
zens, to a trial by jury de mediatate lingua, the United States would be 
willing to make the same concession. But, whether there be or be not 
treaty stipulations between us and the Islands, the United States can 
never consent that their citizens should be put on any other footing 
than those of the most favored nations. 

I have the honor to be, with highest respect, sir, your obedient serv- 
ant, 

J. C. Calhoun. 



[Translation.] 

Treaty of peace, amity, and commerce beticeen France and the Sandwich 
Islands, signed at Honolulu, March 26, 1846. 

Time having shown the expediency of substituting a general treaty 
for the various conventions mutually concluded heretofore by France 
and the Sandwich Islands, the French and Hawaiian Governments 
have mutually agreed upon the following articles, and have signed 
them, after acknowledging and decreeing that all other treaties and 
conventions now existing between the contracting parties, shall be 
hereafter considered as void and of no effect. 

Article 1. There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between 
His Majesty the King of the French and the King of the Sandwich 
Islands, and between their heirs and successors. 

Art. 2. The subjects of His Majesty the King of the French, resid- 
ing in the possessions of the King of the Sandwich Islands, shall en- 
joy, as to civil rights, and as regards their persons and their property,, 
the same protection as if they were native subjects, and the King of 
the Sandwich Islands engages to grant them the same rights and priv- 
ileges as those now granted, or which may be granted hereafter, to the 
subjects of the most favored nation. 

Art. 3. Any Frenchmeau accused of any crime or offense shall be 



310 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



tried only by a jury composed of native residents, or of foreigners pro- 
posed by the consul of France, and accepted by the Government of the 
Sandwich Islands. 

Art. 4. The King of the Sandwich Islands will extend his protec- 
tion to French vessels, their officers and crews. In case of shipwreck, 
the chiefs and inhabitants of the various parts of the Sandwich Islands 
must lend them assistance and protect them from all pillage. 

The salvage dues will be settled, in case of difficulty, by umpires ap- 
pointed by both parties. 

Art. 5. Desertion of sailors employed on board French vessels, will 
be severely repressed by the local authorities, who must use every 
means at their command to arrest the deserters. All expenses, within 
just limits, incurred in their recapture, will be refunded by the captain 
or owners of the said vessels. 

Art. 6. French goods, or those recognized as coming from French 
possessions, can not be prohibited nor subjected to a higher import 
duty than five per cent ad valorem. Wines, brandies, and other spirit- 
uous liquors are excepted, and may be subjected to any just duties which 
the Government of the Sandwich Islands may think proper to impose 
upon them, but on condition that such duty shall never be high enough 
to become an absolute obstacle to the importation of the said articles. 

Art. 7. Tonnage and import duties and all other duties imposed upon 
French vessels, or upon merchandise imported in French vessels, must 
not exceed the duties imposed upon the vessels or merchandise of the 
most favored nation. 

Art. 8. The subjects of the King of the Sandwich Islands will be 
treated upon the footing of the most favored nation in their commercial 
or other relations with France. 

Made at Honolulu, March 26, 1846. 

[l. s.] Em. Perrin, 

Consul of France, 
Charged with a special mission to the Sandwich Islands. 

[L. s.] R. 0. Wyllie, 

Sis Hawaiian Majesty 1 s Minister of Foreign Relations, 



Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Ten Eyclc, August 28, 1848. 

[Extracts.] 

Mr. Calhoun, in a note addressed to Messrs. Richards and Haalilio, 
the Hawaiian commissioners, dated on the 6th July, 1844, informed them 
that " the President regarded his message to Congress of the 31st De- 
cember, 1842, the proceedings of the House of Representatives thereon, 
and the appropriation made for the compensation of a commissioner of 
the United States, who was subsequently appointed to reside in the is- 
lands, as a full recognition on the part of the United States of the in- 
dependence of the Hawaiian Government." Besides, the letter of Presi- 
dent Polk to the King which yon bore with you, dated on the 10th Sep- 
tember, 1845, treated him as an independent sovereign. 

This Government, having thus pledged itself to accord to that of the 
Hawaiian Islands the rights and privileges of a sovereign state, can 
not in honor or justice demand from it anything which, under like cir- 
cumstances, it would not demand from the most powerful nations. I 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



311 



can discover nothing which would justify this Government in objecting 
to the decisions of the Hawaiian courts in ordinary cases arising under 
the municipal laws of the country or in dictating the policy which that 
Government should pursue upon any domestic subject, and especially 
that of the tenure of real estate by resident foreigners. 

# # # # * # # • f 

Fpr these reasons it is my conviction that if, in a conciliatory spirit, 
you would devote your efforts to acquire a just and honorable influence 
over the Hawaiian authorities, you might accomplish the object. Such 
a result would be highly advantageous to both countries. You might 
thus by your counsel and advice render the Hawaiian Government as 
well as the citizens of your own country important services. We ar- 
dently desire that the Hawaiian Islands may maintain their independ- 
ence. It would be highly injurious to our interests if, tempted by their 
weakness, they should be seized by Great Britain or France; more es- 
pecially so since our recent acquisitions from Mexico on the Pacific 
Ocean. 

# # # # # # # 

Having been the first to welcome the Hawaiian Islands into the com- 
munity of nations, it is our true policy, weak and feeble as they are, to 
treat them with as much kindness and forbearance as may be consist- 
ent with the maintenance of our own just rights. Such is the opinion 
of the President. 

* **# * * # * 



Mr. Ten Eyck to Mr. Buchanan. 

No. 55.1 Office United States Commission, 

Honolulu, September 5, 1849. 

Sir: 

#**###* 

Having waited until the 1st of August last, and the Savannah not 
yet arriving, and a good opportunity offering to return, I left Sau Fran- 
cisco at that time and reached this place on Saturday, the 25th ultimo, 
in time to witness the landing of an armed force from the French men- 
of-war in and off the harbor, who took possession of the fort and other 
public buildings and property belonging to the Sandwich Islands Gov- 
ernment in consequence of the Government having refused compliance 
with certain demands made upon it by the French admiral and the 
resident French consul. I have in my letter to Commander Jones, of 
the 31st ultimo (copy of which is hereto annexed), given a brief history 
of the proceedings of the French. 

Mr. Turrill, our consul (with whom this Government has held official 
correspondence since its resolutions of December last, suspending offi- 
cial intercourse with the IT. S. Commissioner), has neglected to furnish 
me with any documents or correspondence received by him in relation 
to the difficulties between the French and the islands' Government, 
although I have made a written request upon him therefor, " in order," 
as I stated to him, " that I might be enabled to determine whether the 
dignity and honor of the Government I serve, her rights, or the rights 



312 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



and interests"of her citizens required any, and if any what, official action 
at my nands, and also that I might be enabled under standingly to ad- 
vise the State Department fully upon the matter." In consequence I 
am unable to state to you the demands made by the French, the grounds 
upon which they are based, the reasons for noncompliance on the part 
of the islands' authorities, or to give any opinion upon the merits of the 
controversy between the parties. 

I am advised by Mr. Turrill that an expose of the whole difficulty 
will be published in a few days by the authorities here, in pamphlet 
form, when I will forward a copy. Mr. Turrill advises me, also, that he 
intends forwarding manuscript copies of all the correspondence to your 
Department. 

I am waiting very anxiously the arrival of my successor, that I may 
be relieved and get finally away from all connection with this Govern- 
ment. If ever a foreign representative has been neglected and abused 
by the administration at Washington then have I been by Mr. Polk's, 
and all simply because Mr. Buchanan had the manliness to sacrifice me 
by censuring my official conduct (in laboring to follow out his in- 
structions) in the vain hope of advancing his own political interests 
with the American Board of Foreign Missions, and of securing himself 
from the just charge of neglect and inattention to his public duties in 
connection with this legation. 

I hope, most certainly, to see Mr. Eames here in all this month. If 
he does not reach here by the 1st October I shall feel that I am under 
no obligation to remain longer, and shall leave tl*e archives of the 
legation in the hands of some trusty American resident, to be delivered 
to my successor on his arrival. 

During my absence from here nothing of any public interest had oc- 
curred up to the time of the arrival of the French admiral. Three or 
four of our whale fleet have returned here from their hunting grounds 
near the Japan and Northwest Coast. Those now here are bound home, 
having met with good success. Within the next six weeks 100 or 200 
whaleships will have arrived at the different ports of these islands for 
recruits. The native population continues to disappear very rapidly. 
It is estimated that 16,000 or 18,000 have died within the last ten or 
eleven months, out of a population not exceeding 70,000. 
I have the honor, etc., 

A. Ten Eyck. 

September 4, 1849. 
P. S. — I was just on the point of closing this dispatch when I re- 
ceived a note from the French consul (copy of which is hereto an- 
nexed). Mr. Turril not having condescended to furnish me with a copy 
of his correspondence with the French admiral, to which allusion is 
made in the French consul's note, I can do no more than simply ac- 
knowledge the receipt of the French consul's note, with the assurance 
that a copy will be forwarded to the proper department of the Govern- 
ment of the United States. 

A. T. E. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



313 



Mr, Ten Eyck to Commodore Jones. 

[Inclosure in Eo. 55.] 

Office United States Commission, 

Honolulu, August 31, 1849. 

Sir: On Saturday last, the 25th inst., I reached this place on my 
return from California, just in time to witness the landing of a body of 
armed men from the French frigate the Poursuivant and the French 
steamer Gassencli. 

It seems that the Admiral de Tromedin had arrived here about the 
18th instant from Callao, and the day after the steamer arrived from 
Tahiti. Under the advice of M. Dillon, the resident French consul, the 
admiral requested au audience of the King for the purpose of discuss- 
ing certain differences existing between the French consul and the 
King's Government. This request the King, by the advice of his min- 
isters, refused. The admiral then, as I understand it, made ten formal 
demands in writing upon the King's Government and gave them three 
days to consider and accede to them, advising the King that if they 
were not complied with within that time he should land a force and 
take possession of the fort and other Government property. The Gov- 
ernment refused compliance with the admiral's demands, and accord- 
ingly, on Saturday last, at 3 p. m., he landed a force and took posses- 
sion of the fort, the custom-house, and the Honolulu House ( where the 
ministers have their offices). He also took possession of the Govern- 
ment schooner, the Kamehameha, and all the small craft in port under 
the Sandwich Islands flag. All this was done without the slightest 
opposition being offered by the authorities, the Government, in fact, 
having ordered that no resistance should be made to any proceedings 
instituted or conducted by the French forces. 

Thus matters continued until Wednesday last, when the French 
guards were withdrawn from the custom-house and the Honolulu House, 
and all the vessels seized, except the Government schooner, were re- 
leased. During this day the marines in possession of the fort amused 
themselves by destroying the powder, the large and small firearms, 
and whatever property they could find, and towards evening finally 
marched out and returned on board their vessels. While the French 
forces were on shore a deputation from the Government visited the 
admiral on board the steamer, but without any favorable result. 

M. Dillon had only on Saturday placed his family on board the 
steamer, and at 3 p. m. hauled down the flag of the consulate, and him- 
self went on board the same vessel. This was the signal for the land- 
ing of the French forces. 

The demands made by the admiral, the response of the Government, 
and all the correspondence is, I understand, in process of publication; 
as soon as I can procure a copy I will forward it. I understand from 
Mr. Turrill, our consul, that this Government have furnished Iv'in 
manuscript copies, which, with a protest sent by him to the admiral, 
against his proceedings, he will forward you and the Secretary of State. 

M. Dillon and family leave for France in the admiral's ship early next 
week, via San Francisco. I forward this by him. What the result of 
this proceeding on the part of the French forces may be, or what effect 
it may have upon the future political interests and independence of this 
Government, is a matter of uncertainty. 

I fear it will tend to hasten the consummation of the intrigues of .Mr. 
Wyllie, the King's minister of foreign relations, and General Miller, 



314 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



the English consul-general, by inducing the King, ere long, to place 
himself under the protection of the English. Dr. Judd and the Amer- 
ican missionaries will, I believe, counsel this course rather than permit 
the King to submit to any exactions conflicting with his and their views 
and policy. During all this proceeding, and while negotiations were 
being attempted, the English consul-general was constantly consulted 
and his advice generally followed by the Islands authorities. 

Mr. Turrill having failed to put me in possession of the papers re- 
ceived by him from this Government, or of copies of his correspond- 
ence relating to these difficulties, although I had requested them from 
him, I am unable to express any opinion upon the merits of the contro- 
versy between the French and the Sandwich Islands Government. 

So far as the conduct of the French in destroying the Government 
property in the fort is concerned, I do not hesitate to condemn it. 

The Preble is still here. Oapt. Glynn will, of course, report to you 
the condition of his crew. It must be anything but encouraging, judg- 
ing from what I have seen and hear of their sickness. The French 
steamer will leave for Tahiti, taking the King's schooner in comxjauy, at 
the same time that the frigate sails for San Francisco. 
I have the honor, etc., 

A. Ten Eyck. 

September 4, 1849. 
P. S. — I have opened this to say that the United States revenue brig 
C. W. Lawrence, Oapt. Fraser, has just arrived, forty-fj.ve days from 
Valparaiso, 

A. T. E. 



No. 30.] Consulate of the United States 

fob the Hawaiian Islands, 

Honolulu, September 4, 1849. 

Sir : Bear-Admiral Tromelin arrived here on the 13th August, in the 
frigate La Poursuivante. The French steamer Gassendi entered this 
port on the day following. 

The admiral, on his first arrival, evinced a most friendly disposition, 
and it was for a while confidently believed that, notwithstanding the 
embittered feelings of the consul of France, no hostile demonstrations 
would be made. It was soon apparent, however, that the admiral had 
placed himself under the control of the consul and would be merely an 
instrument in his hands. 

On the 2:M of last month demands were made upon this Government 
jointly by the admiral and the consul. On the 25th this Government 
sent answers to these demands, declining to comply with the same. 
On the afternoon of that day troops were landed, the fort taken pos- 
session of, and a guard stationed around two public buildings. No 
opposition whatever was made to the troops. The French held the 
fort until the 30th, when they abandoned it, destroying everything con- 
nected therewith, and doing much damage to the governor's house and 
the furniture in it. 

During the time the fort was thus occupied by the French unavail- 
ing efforts were made, through the medium of commissioners, to effect 
an amicable settlement of existing difficulties. 

I herewith inclose a copy of the correspondence between Admiral 
Tromelin and myself, also a copy of the proceedings between this Gov- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



315 



ernment and the admiral and consul, so far as they have been printed. 
I also send a copy of a letter addressed to me by the minister of foreign 
affairs, in relation to the mediation of the President of the United States, 
and my answer to the same. 

H. B. M. consul general protested in strong terms against the pro- 
ceedings of the admiral, and three consuls of the smaller powers also 
remonstrated against the same. The course taken by the consuls no 
doubt had a very beneficial effect. Supposing that you may receive a 
communication upon that subject, I send herewith a copy of the cor- 
respondence between Mr. Ten Eyck and myself. 

It has ever been the desire and aim of this Government, I beleive, to 
observe faithfully all the provisions of the treaty with France, and they 
have undoubtedly done so. Why, then, have these demands been made? 
To one residing here, who has noticed passing events attentively for a 
year or two past, this question is by no means difficult of solution. 
Soon after his arrival in Honolulu, the consul of France set on foot cer- 
tain political intrigues, the object of which was to eject from office one 
of the King's ministers, for tlie purpose, as is confidently believed, 
of providing a place for himself. Failing in these efforts he became 
embittered against the King's advisers, and seemed determined to 
gratify his feelings at the expense of this nation. 

The assault made by the admiral upon this weak, this Christian na- 
tion, was unprovoked, and admits of no excuse. There is not one pal- 
iating circumstance attending it. When the facts and circumstances 
connected therewith shall be fully known, the whole civilized world 
will place upon it the mark of condemnation. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. TURRILL. 

Hon. John M. Clayton, 

Secretary of State, Washington^ D. C. 



[Translation.] 

Admiral's Frigate of the French Eepurlio, 

La Poursuivante, 
Naval Station of the French Republic in the Pacific Ocean, 

Honolulu, August 23, 1849. 
Mr. the Consul: The Hawaiian Government, especially in latter 
times, violated the treaty concluded between France and the Sandwich 
Islands in a manner which requires a prompt and compkte reparation, 
which divers acts of which some French citizens have been the victims 
render still indispensable. 

I have taken, in concert with Mr. the consul of the French Kepublic 
in the Sandwich Islands, all the measures compatible with the dignity 
of France to obtain an amicable arrangement, but the obstinacy of the 
Hawaiian Government appeared to wish to force me to make use of the 
means at my disposal to oblige it to understand the voice of reason and 
justice. 

In this circumstance and agreeably to the conclusions of the ultima- 
tum sent by me, in concert with Mr. the Consul Dillon, 1 have the honor 
of advising you that the delay for the Hawaiian Government to r.iake 
its answer known will expire on August 25, instant, Saturday, at 3 
p. m., after which delay, if the Government of His Majesty Kamehameha 



316 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Ill does not give me a complete satisfaction, it will only remain for me 
to reclaim by force what I have demanded at first through the pacific 
way of correspondence, and which I have not been able to obtain by 
means of a conference, which has been refused to me. 

In informing you of their disposition, Mr. the Consul, I ought to give 
you here the assurance that the French Republic neither looks to an 
occupation or a protectorate of the Hawaiian archipelago, but to a com- 
plete reparation. I shall give the necessary orders that, in the case of 
hostilities taking place, the commerce of American proprietors shall be 
respected as ought to be that of a friendly nation. 

I have the honor to invite you to make these dispositions known to 
your fellow citizens, in order that they may take from this day the 
necessary measures, on their part, to put themselves out of the risk of 
all hazards that may result from the operations which 1 may have to 
order against Honolulu. 

I pray you to acknowledge the receipt of this notification. 

Mr. the Admiral, commander-in-chief of the naval station of the 
French Republic in the Pacific ocean. 

Legoarant de Tromelin. 

To Mr. the Consul of the United States of America in the Sandwich 
Islands, at Honolulu. 



United States Consulate for the Hawaiian Islands, 

Honolulu, August 24, 1849. 

Sir: I did myself the honor this morning of acknowledging the 
receipt of yours of yesterday and in doing so I took occasion to remark 
that I would reply to your communication as soon as I could procure 
a correct translation of the same. 

As far as I have been able to do so, I have communicated the con- 
tents of your letter to my countrymen, but I can not well advise them 
what to do, as I am not made acquainted with the nature of the hostile 
measures, if any, that are to be used. If the town is to be bombarded, 
it will be necessary for them to remove their families and valuable 
effects, to places of safety ; but I do not wish to have them put to the 
great expense and inconvenience of doing so unless the course you 
may ultimately take shall render that necessary. 

Since the receipt of your letter, I have examined with much care the 
several demands which, in connection with the consul of France, you 
have thought proper to make upon the Hawaiian Government, and I 
have heretofore read attentively the voluminous correspondence of 
Fiance and this Government in relation to the claims upon which 
those demands rest. 

By that correspondence I am informed that as early as last April a 
large proportion of those claims, and I believe all that had then been 
agitated, were, by a resolution of the King in council, referred for final 
adjustment " direct to the minister of foreign affairs of France," and, 
although the fact be not material to perfect the case, I will add that it 
appears from the same correspondence that the consul of France as- 
sented to that reference. 

I am also advised from a source entitled to full credit that some 
months ago — the exact time I do not recollect — the King appointed a 
special commissioner to proceed to France for the express purpose of 
effecting an amicable adjustment of those claims. This reference, be- 
yond all question, removed the claims direct to France for settlement, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



317 



and placed them entirely beyond the jurisdiction of the consul or of any 
other subordinate agent of the French Republic. 

But, viewing the case as disconnected with the reference, I beg lea ve 
to remark that I have searched through the whole of that correspond- 
ence in vain to discover a single instance in which either the letter or 
the spirit of the existing treaty has been violated by the Hawaiian 
Government. If there be such an instance, the consul of France has 
failed to point it out. 

The demands which have been thus made upon this Government are, 
in my judgement, in direct opposition to the plain provisions of the 
treaty, and the enforcing them in the manner indicated would be a 
palpable violation of the law of nations. . 

As the course you have advised me that circumstances may induce 
you to pursue must of necessity seriously affect the great American in- 
terests connected with these islands, it becomes my imperative duty as 
a representative of the United States to interpose my solemn protest 
against it, which I now do, and I shall lose no time in communicating 
to the President of the United States the facts and circumstances at- 
tending this case. 

With the ardent hope that the pending, difficulties may yet be ami- 
cably disposed of, 

I have the honor to remain, sir, etc., 

J. Ttjrrill, 
United States Consul. 

Legoarant de Tromelin, 

Rear- Admiral and Commander-in-Chief 

of the Naval Forces of the Republic of France 

in the Pacific Ocean. 



[Translation.] 

Admiral's Frigate of the French Republic, 

The Poursuiyante, 
Naval Station of the French Republic in the 
Pacific Ocean, off Honolulu, the 25th August, 1849. 
Mr. the Consul: In acknowledging receipt of your letter of yester- 
day's date, I have the honor of testifying to you the surprise which its 
perusal has occasioned to me. I had not only not given you any com- 
munication of my demands on the Hawaiian Government, but further, 
the policy of the American Government made it your duty to not in- 
terfere officially in our affairs with the administration of His Majesty 
Kamehameha III, for you know as well as I that the United States of 
America has made it to themselves a law of not mixing ever in the 
affairs of other nations, and especially those of France, their ancient 
and their most faithful ally. 

I ought to advise you that I believe it to be my duty to communicate 
your precited dispatch to the Government of the French Republic. 

I renew to you, Mr. the Consul, the assurance of my very distinguished 
consideration. 

The rear admiral, commander-in-chief of the naval forces of the French 
Republic in the Pacific Ocean, 

Legorant de Tromelin. 

To Mr. the Consul of the United States of America in the Sandwich Is- 
lands, Honolulu. 



318 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



United States Consulate, 
For the Hawaiian Islands, 

Honolulu, August 27, 1849. 
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 25th 
instant, a translation of which was not obtained in time to give it an 
answer on Saturday, the clay it bears date. 

You are right in supposing it not to be the policy of the United 
States to mix in the affairs of other nations. But when a case like the 
one under consideration occurs, and I clearly see that the course mili- 
itary power is to take against this weak nation must greatly injure my 
countrymen and seriously embarrass the extensive American commerce 
connected with these islands, it becomes my duty so far to interfere offi 
dally as to interpose my protest: and in doing so I doubt not my course 
will meet the entire approbation of the President of the United States. 
I have the honor to remain, sir, etc., 

J. Turrill. 

Leg grant de Tromelin, 

Hear -Admiral and Commander in Chief 

of the Nava l Forces of the French Bepuulie 
in the Pacific Ocean. 



separate and urgent.] Foreign Office, 

August 25, 1849. 

Sir: The King, my master, commands me to convey to you, for your 
information, and that of your Government, the inclosed copies of the 
peremptory demands made on the 22d instant by the admiral and the 
consul of France, and of the replies to the same, which I have sent by 
His Majesty's command. 

It is not believed that any consequences can justly ensue endanger- 
ing the lives and properties of American citizens, which His Majesty 
will protect, so long as His Sovereign authority and the empire of his 
laws are respected. When that period ceases, His Majesty's power to 
protect will cease also, and it will be for you, as consul of the United 
States, representing that Government, to act as you may consider to 
be necessary. 

It may be of importance for you to know that by command of the 
King I addressed, on the 22d instant, by the James Monroe a re- 
quest in His Majesty's name, through his special commissioner, James 
Jackson Jarves, esquire, for the friendly mediation of his excellency 
the President of the United States with the Government of France, in 
regard to all demands made or that may be made upon the Govern- 
ment by the consul and admiral of the French Eepublic, and to obtain 
this favor the King commands me to request your good offices. 
"With the highest respect, etc., 

E. G. Wyllie. 

Joel Turrill, Esq., 

United States Consul, etc. 

P. S. — In case His Excellency the President of the United States 
should be objected to as a mediator, or decline to act as such, a similar 
note, with a similar intent, is now passed to H. B. M. consul-general. 
The King engages to ratify and abide by the award of His Excellency 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



319 



the President of the United States, or of the British Government, act- 
ing- either solely or jointly upon all points that may not be agreed upon 
between the French Government and the King's special commissioner, 
James Jackson Jarves, esq. 

E. 0. W. 



United States Consulate, 

Honolulu, August 25, 1849. 

Sir- I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your despatch 
bearing even date herewith, inclosing copies "of the peremptory de- 
mands made on the 22d instant by the admiral and the consul of France, 
and of the replies to the same," and informing me that you had by com- 
mand of the King, on the 22d of this month, addressed a request in His 
Majesty's name, through his special commissioner, James Jackson 
Jarves, esq., for the friendly mediation of His Excellency the Presi- 
dent of the United States with the Government of France, in regard 
to all demands made or that may be made upon this Government by 
the consul and admiral of the French Republic, and to obtain this favor 
the King commands you to request my "good offices." You also in- 
form me that a similar note has been addressed by you to H. B. M. con- 
sul-general, soliciting the mediation of England, stating that the King 
engages to ratify and abide by the award of the President of the 
United States or of the British Government, acting either solely or 
jointly on all points that may not be agreed upon between the French 
Government and the King's special commissioner. You may assure 
His Majesty the King, that I will cheerfully do anything in my power 
to aid in bringing about an amicable adjustment of existing difficulties, 
and for that purpose shall lose no time in sending to the President of 
the United States a copy of your despatch, accompanied with such re- 
marks a« I may deem necessary. 

I received a letter from Rear-Admiral Legoarant de Tromelin on the 
24th instant, bearing date the 23d, in which he states that "the Haw- 
aiian Government, especially in latter times, violated the treaty 
conducted between France and the Sandwicn. Islands in a manner 
which requires a prompt and complete reparation, which divers acts, 
of which some French citizens have been the victims, render still indis- 
pensable." 

And the admiral advised me, among other things, that unless the 
Hawaiian Government should comply with the ultimatum sent by him 
in concert with the consul of France, by 3 o'clock p. m. this day, that 
force would be used. 

Believing that th*e admiral had been misinformed in relation to the 
violation of the treaty, and knowing that the use of force for the pur- 
pose and in the manner indicated by him would greatly injure Ameri- 
can commerce in the Pacific Ocean, I expressed in decided terms in my 
answer to the admiral's letter, which bears date of the 24th instant, the 
opinion that neither the letter nor spirit of the treaty had been vio- 
lated by the Hawaiian Government, and I protested agaiust the enforc- 
ing of the demands in the manner indicated by the admiral. 

T shall lose no time in making the President of the United States 
fully acquainted with the course I have taken in relation to the pro- 
ceedings of the admiral and the consul of France. 
I have the honor to be, etc., 

J. TUKRILL, 

His Excellency R. 0. Wyllie, 

Minister of Foreign Relations, etc., Honolulu* 



320 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



A treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation, "between the United 
States of America and His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, 
concluded at Washington, 20th December, 1849 — Ratified 4th February, 
1850 — Exchanged 21th August, 1850 — Proclaimed Jth November, 1850. 

Whereas a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation, between 
the United States of America and His Majesty the King of the Hawa- 
iian Islands, was concluded and signed at Washington on the twen- 
tieth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and forty -nine, the original of which treaty is, word for word, 
as follows: 

The United States of America and His Majesty the King of the 
Hawaiian Islands, equally animated with the desire of maintaining the 
relations of good understanding which have hitherto so happily sub- 
sisted between their respective states, and consolidating the commer- 
cial intercourse between them, have agreed to enter into negotiations for 
the conclusion of a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation, for 
which purpose they have appointed plenipotentiaries, that is to say: 
The President of the United States of America, John M. Clayton, Sec- 
retary of State of the United States, and His Majesty the King of the 
Hawaiian Islands, James Jackson Jarves, accredited as his special 
commissioner to the Government of the United States, who, after hav- 
ing exchanged their full powers, found in good and due form, have 
concluded and signed the following articles. 

Article I. 

There shall be perpetual peace and amity between the United States 
and the King of the Hawaiian Islands, his heirs and his successors. 

Article II. 

There shall be reciprocal liberty of commerce and navigation between 
the United States of America and the Hawaiian Islands. No duty of 
customs or other impost shall be charged upon any goods the produce 
or manufacture of one country, upon importation from such country 
into the other, other or higher than the duty or impost charged upon 
goods of the same kind the produce or manufacture of or imported 
from any other country; and the United States of America and His 
Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands do hereby engage that the 
subjects or citizens of any other state shall not enjoy any favor, privi- 
lege, or immunity whatever, in matters of commerce and navigation, 
which shall not also at the same time be extended to the subjects or 
citizens of the other contracting party, gratuitously, if the concession 
in favor of that other slate shall have been gratuitous, and in return 
for a compensation, as nearly as possible of proportionate value and 
effect, to be adjusted by mutual agreement, if the concession shall have 
been couditional. 

Article III. 

All articles the produce or manufacture of either country, which can 
legally be imported into either country from the other, in ships of that 
other country, and thence coming, snail, when so imported, be subject 
to the snme duties and enjoy the same privileges, whether imported in 
ships of the one country or in ships of the other ; and, in like manner, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



321 



all goods which can legally be exported or reexported 'from either coun- 
try to the other, in ships of that other country, shall, when so exported 
or reexported, be subject to the same duties and be entitled to the same 
privileges, drawbacks, bounties, and allowances, whether exported in 
ships of the one country or in ships of the other; and all goods and 
articles, of whatever description, not being of the produce or manufac- 
ture of the United States, which can be legally imported into the Sand- 
wich Islands, shall, when so imported in vessels of the United States, 
pay no other or higher duties, imposts, or charges than shall be payable 
upon the like goods and articles when imported in the vessels of the 
most favored nation, other than the nation of which the said goods and 
articles are the produce or manufacture. 

Article IV. 

No duties of tonnage, harbor, light-houses, pilotage, quarantine, or 
other similar duties, of whatever nature, or under whatever denomina- 
tion, shall be imposed in either country upon the vessels of the other, 
in respect of voyages between the United States of America and the 
Hawaiian Islands, if laden, or in respect of any voyage, if in ballast, 
which shall not be equally imposed in the like cases on national vessels. 

Article V. 

It is hereby declared that the stipulations of the present treaty are 
not to be understood as applying to the navigation and carrying trade 
between one port and another situated in the States of either contract- 
ing party, such navigation and trade being reserved exclusively to 
national vessels. 

Article VI. 

Steam vessels of the United States, which may be employed by the 
Government of the said States in the carrying of their public mails across 
the Pacific Ocean, or from one port in that ocean to another, shall have 
free access to the ports of the Sandwich Islands, with the privilege of 
stopping therein to refit, to refresh, to land passengers and their bag- 
gage, and for the transaction of any business pertaining to the public 
mail service of tire United States, and shall be subject, in such ports, 
to no duties of tonnage, harbor, light-houses, quarantine, or other simi- 
lar duties, of whatever nature or under whatever denomination. 

Article VII. 

The whale ships of the United States shall have access to the ports 
of Hilo, Kealakekua, and Hanalei, in the Sandwich Islands, for the 
purposes of refitment and refreshment, as well as to the ports of Hono- 
lulu and Lahaina, which only are ports of entry for all merchant ves- 
sels: and in all the above-named ports they shall be permitted to trade 
or barter their supplies of goods, excepting spirituous liquors, to the 
amount of two hundred dollars ad valorem for each vessel, without pay- 
ing any charge for tonnage or harbor dues of any description, or any 
duties or imposts whatever upon the goods or articles so traded or bar- 
tered. They shall also be permitted, with the like exemption from all 
charges for tonnage and harbor dues, further to trade or barter, with 
the same exception as to spirituous liquors, to the additional amount of 
H. Ex. 48 21 



322 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



one thousand dollars ad valorem for each vessel, paying upon the addi- 
tional goods and articles so traded and bartered no other or higher 
duties than are payable on like goods and articles when imported in the 
vessels and by the citizens or subjects of the most favored foreign na- 
tion. They shall also be permitted to pass from port to port of the 
Sandwich Islands for the purpose of procuring refreshments; but they 
shall not discharge their seamen or land their passengers in the said 
islands, except at Lahaina and Honolulu; and in all the ports named in 
this article the whale ships of the United States shall enjoy, in all re- 
spects whatsoever, all the rights, privileges, and immunities which ar- 
enjoyed by, or shall be granted to, the whale ships of the most favoree 
foreign nation. The like privilege of frequenting the three ports of the 
Sandwich Islands above named in this article, not being ports of entry 
for merchant vessels, is also guarantied to all the public armed vessels 
of the United States. But nothing in this article shall be construed as 
authorizing any vessel of the United States having on board any disease 
usually regarded as requiring quarantine to enter, during the continu- 
ance of such disease on board, any port of the Sandwich Islands other 
than Lahaina or Honolulu. 

Article VIII. 

The contracting parties engage, in regard to the personal privileges, 
that the citizens of the United States of America shall enjoy in the do- 
minions of His Majesty the King of the HaAvaiian Islands, and the 
subjects of his said Majesty in the United States of America, that they 
shall have free and undoubted right to travel and to reside in the states 
of the two high contracting parties, subject to the same precautions of 
police which are practiced towards the subjects or citizens of the most 
favored nations. They shall be entitled to occupy dwellings and ware- 
houses, and to dispose of their personal property of every kind and de- 
scription, by sale, gift, exchange, will, or in any other way whatever, 
without the smallest hindrance or obstacle; and their heirs or repre- 
sentatives, being subjects or citizens of the other contracting party, 
shall succeed in their personal goods, whether by testament or rib in- 
testate; and may take possession thereof, either by themselves or by 
others acting for them, and dispose of the same at will, paying to the 
profit of the respective Governments such dues only as the inhabitants 
of the country wherein the said goods are shall be subject to pay in 
like cases. And, in case of the absence of the heir and represen- 
tative, such care shall be taken of the said goods as would be taken 
of the goods of a native of the same country in like case, until the 
lawful owner may take measures for receiving them. And if a ques- 
tion should arise among several claimants as to which of them said 
goods belong, the same shall be decided finally by the laws and judges 
of the land wherein the said goods are. Where, on the decease of any 
person holding real estate within the territories of one party, such real 
estate would, by the laws of the land, descend on a citizen or subject 
of the other, were he not disqualified by alienage, such citizen or sub- 
ject shall be allowed a reasonable time to sell the same, and to with- 
draw the proceeds without molestation, and exempt from all duties of 
detraction on the part of the Government of the respective states. 
The citizens or subjects of the contracting parties shall not be obliged 
to pay, under any pretence whatever, any taxes or impositions other 
or greater than those which are paid, or may hereafter be paid, by the 
subjects or citizens of the most favored nations, in the respective 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



323 



states of the liigli contracting parties. They shall be exempt from all 
military service, whether by land or by sea ; from forced loans ; and 
from every extraordinary contribution not general and by law estab- 
lished. Their dwellings, warehouses, and all premises appertaining 
thereto, destined for the purposes of commerce or residence, shall be 
respected. No arbitrary search of or visit to their houses, and no arbi- 
trary examination or inspection whatever of the books, papers, or ac- 
counts of their trade, shall be made; but such measures shall be exe- 
cuted only in conformity with the legal sentence of a competent tri- 
bunal; and each of the two contracting parties engages that the citi- 
zens or subjects of the other residing in their respective states shall 
enjoy their property and personal security in as full and ample manner 
as their own citizens or subjects, or the subjects or citizens of the most 
favored nation, but subject always to the laws and statutes of the two 
countries, respectively. 

Article IX. 

The citizens and subjects of each of the two contracting parties shall 
be free in the States of the other to manage their own affairs them- 
selves, or to commit those affairs to the management of any persons 
whom they may appoint as their broker, factor, or agent ; nor shall the 
citizens and subjects of the two contracting parties be restrained in 
their choice of persons to act in such capacities ; nor shall they be called 
upon to pay any salary or remuneration to any person whom they shall 
not choose to employ. 

Absolute freedom shall be given in all cases to the buyer and seller 
to bargain together and to fix the price of any goods or merchandise 
imported into, or to be exported from, the States and dominions of the 
two contracting parties, save and except generally such cases wherein 
the laws and usages of the country may require the intervention of any 
special agents in the States and dominions of the contracting parties. 
But nothing contained in this or any other article of the present treaty 
shall be construed to authorize the sale of spirituous liquors to the na- 
tives of the Sandwich Islands, further than such sale may be allowed by 
the Hawaiin laws. 

Article X. 

Each of the two contracting parties may have, in the ports of the 
other, consuls, vice-consuls, and commercial agents of their own ap- 
pointment, who shall enjoy the same privileges and powers with those 
of the most favored nations; but if any such consuls shall exercise com- 
merce, they shall be subject to the same laws and usage to which the 
private individuals of their nation are subject in the same place. The 
said consuls, vice-consuls, and commercial agents are authorized to re- 
quire the assistance of the local authorities for the search, arrest, deten- 
tion, and imprisonment of the deserters from the ships of war and mer- 
chant vessels of their country. For this purpose they shall apply to 
the competeut tribunals, judges, and officers, and shall, in writing, de- 
mand the said deserters, proving, by the exhibition of the registers of 
the vessels, the rolls of the crews, or by other official documents, that 
such, individuals formed part of the crews; and this reclamation being 
thus substantiated, the surrender shall not be refused. Such desert- 
ers, when arrested, shall be placed at the disposal of the said consuls, 
vice-consuls, or commercial agents ? and mav be confined in the public 



824 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



prisons, at the request arid cost of those who shall claim them, in order 
to be detained until the time when they shall be restored to the vessel 
to which they belonged, or sent back to their own country by a vessel 
of the same nation, or any other vessel whatsoever. The agents, own- 
ers, or masters of vessels on account of whom the deserters have been 
apprehended, upon requisition of the local authorities, shall be required 
to take or send away such deserters from the States and dominions of 
the contracting parties, or give such security for their good conduct as 
the law may require. But if not sent back nor reclaimed within six 
months from the day of their arrest, or if all the expenses of such im- 
prisonment are not defrayed by the party causing such arrest and 
imprisonment, they shall be set at liberty, and shall not be again ar- 
rested for the same cause. However, if the deserters should be found 
to have committed any crime or offence, their surrender may be de- 
layed until the tribunal before which their case shall be depending 
shall have pronounced its sentence, and such sentence shall have been 
carried into effect. 

Article XI. 

It is agreed that perfect and entire liberty of conscience shall be en 
joyed by the citizens and subjects of both the contracting parties, in the 
countries of the one and the other, without their being liable to be dis- 
turbed or molested on account of their religious belief. But nothing 
contained in this article shall be construed to interfere with the exclu- 
sive right of the Hawaiian Government to regulate for itself the schools 
which it may establish or support within its jurisdiction. 

Article XII. 

If any ships of war or other vessels be wrecked on the coasts of the 
States or Territories of either of the contracting parties, such ships or 
vessels, or any parts thereof, and all furniture and appurtenances be- 
longing thereunto, and all goods and merchandise which shall be saved 
therefrom, or the produce thereof, if sold, shall be faithfully restored 
with the least possible delay to the proprietors, upon being claimed by 
them or by their duly authorized factors; and, if there are no such 
proprietors or factors on the spot, then the said goods and merchan- 
dise, or the proceeds thereof, as well as all the papers found on board 
such wrecked ships or vessels, shall be delivered to the American or 
Hawaiian consul or vice-consul in w T hose district the wreck may have 
taken place; and such consul, vice-consul, proprietors, or factors, shall 
pay only the expenses incurred in the preservation of the property, 
together with the rate of salvage and expenses of quarantine which 
would have been payable in the like case of a wreck of a national ves- 
sel; and the goods and merchandise saved from the wreck shall not be 
subject to duties unless entered for consumption, it being understood 
that in case of any legal claim upon such wreck, goods, or merchandise, 
the same shall be referred for decision to the competent tribunals of 
the country. 

Article XIII. 

The vessels of either of the two contracting parties which may be 
forced by stress of weather or other cause into one of the ports of the 
other .shall be exempt from all duties of port or navigation paid for the 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



benefit of the State, if the motives wliicli led to their seeking refuge be 
real and evident, and if no cargo be discharged or taken on board, save 
such as may relate to the subsistence of the crew, or be necessary for 
the repair of the vessels, and if they do not stay in port beyond the 
time necessary, keeping in view the cause which led to their seeking 
refuge. 

Article XIV. 

The contracting parties mutually agree to surrender, upon official 
requisition, to the authorities of each, all persons who, being charged 
with the crimes of murder, piracy, arson, robbery, forgery, or the utter- 
ance of forged paper, committed within the jurisdiction of either, shall 
be found within the territories of the other, provided that this shall 
only be done upon such evidence of criminality as, according to the 
laws of the place Avhere the person so charged shall be found, would 
justify his apprehension and commitment for trial if the crime had 
there been committed ; and the respective judges and other magistrates 
of the two Governments shall have authority, upon complaint made 
under oath, to issue a warrant for the apprehension of the person so 
charged, that he may be brought before such judges or other magis- 
trates, respectively, to the end that the evidence of criminality may be 
heard and considered; and if, on such hearing, the evidence be deemed 
sufficient to sustain the charge, it shall be the duty of the examining 
judge or magistrate to certify the same to the proper executive author- 
ity, that a warrant may issue for the surrender of such fugitive. The 
expense of such apprehension and delivery shall be borne and defrayed 
by the party who makes the requisition and receives the fugitive. 

Article XV. 

So soon as steam or other mail packets under the flag of either of the 
contracting parties shall have commenced running between their re- 
spective ports of entry, the contracting parties agree to receive at the 
post-offices of those ports all mailable matter, and to forward it as 
directed, the destination being to some regular post-office of either 
country, charging thereupon the regular postal rates as established by 
law in the territories of either party receiving said mailable matter, in 
addition to the original postnge of the office whence the mail was sent. 
Mails for the United States shall be made up at regular intervals at 
the Hawaiian post-office, and dispatched to ports of the United States, 
the postmasters at which ports shall open the same, and forward the 
inclosed matter as directed, crediting the Hawaiian Government with 
their postage as established by law, and stamped upon each manuscript 
or printed sheet. 

All mailable matter destined for the Hawaiian Islands shall be re- 
ceived at the several post-offices in the United States and forwarded 
to San Francisco, or other ports on the Pacific coast of the United 
States, whence the postmasters shall dispatch it by the regular mail 
packets to Honolulu, the Hawaiian Government agreeing on their part 
to receive and collect for and credit the Post-Office Department of the 
United States with the United States' rates charged thereupon. It 
Shall be optional to prepay the postage on letters in either country, 
but postage on printed sheets and newspapers shall, in all cases, be 
prepaid. The respective Post-Office Departments of the contracting 



326 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



parties shall in their accounts, which are to be adjusted annually, be 
credited with all dead letters returned. 



Article XVI. 



The present treaty shall be in force from the date of the exchange of 
the ratifications, for the term of ten years, and further, until the end ot 
twelve months after either of the contracting parties shall have given 
notice to the other of its intention to terminate the same, each of the 
said contracting parties reserving to itself the right of giving such no- 
tice at the end of the said term often years or at any subsequent term. 

Any citizen or subject of either party infringing the articles of this 
treaty shall be held responsible for the same, and the harmony and 
good correspondence between the two Governments shall not be inter- 
rupted thereby, each party engaging in no way to protect the offender 
or sanction such violation. 



Article XVII. 



The present treaty shall be ratified by the President of the United 
States of America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate 
of the said States, and by His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Isl- 
ands, by and with the advice of his privy council of state, and the rati- 
fication shall be exchanged at Honolulu within eighteen months from 
the date of its signature, or sooner, if possible. 

In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed the 
same in triplicate and have thereto affixed their seals. 

Done at Washington, in the English language, the twentieth day of 
December, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty -nine. 



John M. Clayton, 
James Jackson Jarves. 



SEAL. 
SEAL. 



And whereas the said treaty has been duly ratified on both parts and 
the respective ratifications of the same were exchanged at Honolulu on 
the 24th day of August last, by Charles Bunker, consul of the United 
States at Lahaina, and R. C. Wyllie, minister of foreign relations of His 
Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, on the part of their respec- 
tive governments : 

Now, therefore, be it known that I, Millard Fillmore, President of the 
United States, have caused the said treaty to be made public, to the 
end that the same, and every article and clause thereof, may be ob- 
served and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and the citi- 
zens thereof. 

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal 
of the United States to be affixed. 

Done at the city of Washington, this 9th day of November, in the 
year of our Lord 1850, and of the Independence of the United States 
the seventy-fifth. 
[l. s.j Millard Fillmore. 

By the President: 
W. S. Derrick, 

Acting Secretary of State* 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



327 



Mr. G. P. Judd and Mr. James J. Jarves to Mr. Clayton. 

Washington, May 30, 1850. 

Sir : We have the honor to inclose for your perusal copies ot certain 
documents relative to the late difficulties which have arisen between 
the Governments of France and the Hawaiian Islands. 

Nos. 17, 18, and 19 relate to an application to the Government of Her 
Britannic Majesty in order to obtain their good offices in the adjust- 
ment of the points at issue. Nos. 20 and 21 relate to a new treaty with 
France. 

From these you will perceive that the British Government have con- 
sented to use their good offices in favor of our Government. We are 
instructed to request the friendly interposition of the United States 
towards a satisfactory settlement of the difficulties with France, and we 
invite the cooperation of your excellency, particularly with reference 
to the adoption by both England and France of treaties similar to that 
negotiated by the United States. It is the earnest desire of His 
Hawaiian Majesty that the United States become party to an arrange- 
ment with those two powers to secure his neutrality in all wars and 
provide for the settlement of any future difficulty which may arise be- 
tween the Hawaiian Islands and either of the three powers by a refer- 
ence to the other two. 

Trusting that our communication may meet with a favorable con- 
sideration, we subscribe ourselves, 

Your excellency's most obedient servants, 

G. P. Judd, 
James J. Jarves. 

[Inclosures not found with note.] 



Mr. Clayton to Mr. Judd and Mr. Jarves. 

Department of State, 

Washington, June 3, 1850. 
To Messrs. G. P. Judd and James J. Jarves, 

Washington : 

Gentlemen : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
note of the 30th ultimo, with the accompanying documents, relative to 
the difference between His Hawaiian Majesty's Government and the 
Government of France, growing out of certain proceedings of the late 
consul-general of Frauce and of the naval commander of that Eepublic 
at the Hawaiian Islands. Your note has been submitted to the Presi- 
dent, who has directed me to state, in reply, that as the United States 
have strong motives both of sympathy and interest for desiring that 
His Hawaiian Majesty's Government should be upon the most friendly 
terms with all others and especially with those of powerful commercial 
States, he ardently hopes that the misunderstanding adverted to may 
be adjusted to the mutual satisfaction of the parties, and will cheer- 
fully do anything in his power, compatible with the cardinal policy of 
this Government, to bring about that desirable result. An instruction 
will accordingly be addressed to Mr. Elves, the United States minister 
at Paris, directing him to employ his good offices, either separately or 
in conjunction with the British minister, for the purpose of accommo- 



828 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



dating the dispute between His Hawaiian Majesty's Government and 
that of France. 

The desire which you express in behalf of His Hawaiian Majesty that 
the United States should become a party to an arrangement with Great 
Britain and France to secure His Majesty's neutrality in all wars and 
provide for the settlement of any future difficulty which may arise be- 
tween the Hawaiian Islands and either of the three powers, by a ref- 
erence to the other two, shall be taken into respectful consideration. 

I avail myself of the occasion, gentlemen, to otter to you the assurance 
of my very high regard. 

John M. Clayton. 



Mr. Clayton to Mr. Rives. 

Eb. 15.] Department of State, 

Washington, J uly 5, 1850. 

To William C. Bites, Esq., etc. : 

Sir: I transmit a copy of a note and of the accompanying papers 
addressed to this Department, under date the 30th of May last, by 
Messrs. G. P. Judd and James Jackson Jarves, accredited to this Gov- 
ernment as special commissioners of His Hawaiian Majesty, requesting 
the friendly interposition of the United States towards a satisfactory 
settlement of the differences between the Hawaiian Government and 
that of France. A copy of my answer to the application is also 
inclosed. 

It certainly is very desirable that the relations between France and 
the Hawaiian Islands should be of an amicable character. We desire 
that those islands should maintain their independence. We believe 
that their existing government is competent to discharge the duties of 
a sovereign state, and that if any of its acts or omissions with reference 
to other governments, or to the citizens or subjects owing them alle- 
giance, have been of questionable propriety, this should be imputed to 
the inexperience of the Hawaiian functionaries, and to the difficulties 
arising from the peculiarities of their position. 

It undoubtedly behooves the governments of older and more powerful 
states who hold official intercourse with the Hawaiian Government to 
view with indulgence any delinquencies which they may commit clearly 
resulting from the causes just indicated. The occasion is not considered 
to call for an expression of an opinion by this Department in regard to 
the merits of the controversy between the French and the Hawaiian 
authorities. The Department, however, will not hesitate to express 
its belief that whatever may have been the convictions of the French 
officers as to the justice of their cause, the measures adopted to obtain 
redress were unnecessarily harsh. It is hoped that this will ultimately 
be the conclusion of the French Government itself; and that, in that 
event, it will make such amends to the Hawaiian Government as a great 
and magnanimous nation can not fail to consider as due in such case to 
a feeble and injured state. 

The Department will be slow to believe that the French have any 
intention to adopt, with reference to the Sandwich Islands, the same 
policy which they have pursued in regard to Tahiti. If, however, in 
your judgment it should be warranted by circumstances, you may take 
a proper opportunity to intimate to the minister for foreign affairs of 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



329 



France that the situation of the Sandwich Islands, in respect to our 
possessions on the Pacific and the bonds commercial and of other de- 
scriptions between them and the United States, are such that we could 
never with indifference allow them to pass under the dominion or ex- 
clusive control of any other power. We do not ourselves covet sov- 
ereignty over them. We would be content that they should remain 
under their present rulers, who, we believe, are disposed to be just and 
impartial in their dealings with all nations. 

The President is not prepared to comply with the request of Messrs. 
Judd and Jarves, that the United States should become a party to an 
arrangement with England and France to secure the neutrality of the 
Hawaiian Government in all wars, and to provide for the adjustment 
of any future misunderstanding between that Government and either 
of the three by a reference to the other two. But although a formal 
treaty for these purposes would be too little in consonance with our 
usual policy to be entered into without great deliberation, our interests 
involved in the independence of the Sandwich Islands are of sufficient 
importance to require and warrant us in adopting other measures for 
the purpose of restoring and preserving harmony between their Govern- 
ment and that of either England or France. The President conse- 
quently hopes for the best results from your zealous, yet prudent, en- 
deavors toward a satisfactory accommodation of the dispute which is 
the immediate occasion of this dispatch. 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

John M. Clayton. 



Mr. W. C. Eives to Mr. Webster. 

No. 49.] Legation of the United States, 

Paris, September 12, 1850. 
Sir : I omitted in my last dispatch to acknowledge the receipt of 
dispatch No. 15 from the State Department, addressed to me by the late 
Secretary of State, and which was not received here until I had left Paris 
on my recent excursion. I shall in the exercise of the discretion it com- 
mits to me profit of the first occasion which may seem suitable and 
proper to bring the views and considerations it suggests to the aid of 
an amicable adjustment of the difficulties between the Sandwich Islands 
and this Government, without intruding officiously or offensively in the 
controversy between the parties. The minister of foreign affairs left 
here ten or twelve days ago to accompany the President in his visit 
to Cherbourg and some of the neighboring departments, and is not ex- 
pected back for several days yet to come. I have therefore had no 
opportunity of personal communication with him since my return to 
Paris. 

# < # * $ # # * 

I have the honor, etc., 

W. C. Eives. 



We, Kamehameha III, by the grace of God of the Hawaiian Islands, 
King : By and with the advice of our kuhina liui and counsellors of 
native chiefs, finding our relations with France so oppressive to my 
Kingdom, so inconsistent with its rights as an independent State, and 



330 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



so obstructive of all our endeavors to administer the government of 
our islands with equal justice with all nations and equal independence 
of all foreign control, and despairing of equity and justice from France, 
hereby proclaim as our royal will and pleasure that all our islands and 
all our rights as sovereign over them are from the date hereot placed 
under the protection and safeguard of the United States of America 
until some arrangements can be made to place our said relations with 
France upon a footing compatible with my rights as an independent 
sovereign under the laws of nations and compatible with my treaty en- 
gagements with other foreign nations; or, if such arrangements be 
found impracticable, then is our wish and pleasure that the protection 
aforesaid under the United States of America be perpetual. 

And we further proclaim as aforesaid that from the date of x>ublica- 
tiou hereof the flag of the United States of America shall be hoisted 
above the national ensign on all our forts and places and vessels navi- 
gating with Hawaiian registers. 

Done at our palace at Honolulu this 10th day of March, A. D. 1851, 
and in the twenty-sixth year of our reign. 

[l. s.] Kamehameha. 

Re oni Ana. 



Mr. Severance to Mr. Webster. 

United States Commission, 
No. 6.] Honolulu, March 11, 1851. 

Sir : I wrote you yesterday and sent the letter by mail in a vessel 
which sails on Wednesday, in relation to the negotiations with M. 
Perrin, the French consul-general, and that there was little probability 
of an amicable conclusion. What will follow we can not tell, but in 
case of another hostile attack from the French, the King, with the ap- 
probation of his chiefs, and I believe nearly all the principal officers of 
the Government, have it in contemplation to take down the Hawaiian 
flag and run up that of the United States. They contemplate annexa- 
tion to our Republic, and have already consulted me about it. They 
would prefer a guaranty of proteciion from England and the United 
States, and have consulted with Gen. Miller, the British consul- general 
here. He gives them no satisfaction, having written to his Govern- 
ment on the same topic before and received no reply. He is bound by 
the joint declaration of 1813, that Great Britain shall not take posses- 
sion, either as a protectorate or otherwise. 

There is considerable British interest here. Formerly the King and 
chiefs put great reliance on the protection of England, which was 
promised verbally toLiholiho, the immediate predecessor of the present 
King, when he visited England with several of his chiefs. William IY 
was then on the British throne, I believe; but since then they have 
had a great deal of difficulty with Mr. Charlton, the British consul, and 
some with Gen. Miller, the present consul. So they have also with my 
predecessors, Brown and Ten Eyck ; yet the American interest, mission- 
ary, mercantile, and otherwise, is altogether paramount. 

The popular representative body recently elected by native votes is 
for the most part composed of natives of the United States, and so is 
the executive part of the Government, as well as the judiciary, at least 
in the high courts. The other branch of the legislature is composed of 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



331 



a council of native chiefs, retaining so far their ancient privileges. 
During the last year or two there has been a considerable immigration 
from Sidney, but not an influential or desirable population. Three- 
fourths, at least, of the business done here is by Americans, and they 
already own much of the real estate. The sugar-planters are nearly all 
Americans, and have a strong interest in annexation to the United 
States, as in that event they will supply our Pacific coast with sugar 
at an "advantage of 30 per cent over all other sugars from the East 
Indies or elsewhere. The subject of annexation is here often hinted at, 
and sometimes freely discussed in private; but it is known only to a 
very few that the King and his Government have the matter under 
consideration. If the action of the French should precipitate a move- 
ment here, I shall be called on, perhaps, to protect the American flag. 
I was indeed requested to go and see the King on Monday night, and 
in the presence of the council to give him assurance of protection 
should lie raise the American flag instead of his own; but I pref erred 
to keep away, so as to avoid all appearance of intrigue to bring about a 
result which, however desirable, and as many believe ultimately inevi- 
table, must still be attended with difficulties and embarrassments. It 
was a week before this that I was applied to by the King to prevent 
the sailing of the Vandalia, as was contemplated by Ca})t. Gardner. It 
was his wish to go on Saturday last. The letters of the premier, min- 
ister of the interior, and vice-regent will be found on sheet annexed, 
marked A. 

To the letter of the regent I replied as on sheet marked B. I then 
addressed a letter to Capt. Gardiner, after first having a free confer- 
ence with him and with Mr. Allen, the American consul. The letter 
is marked C. To this Capt. Gardiner replied as marked D. 

Capt. Cosnier, commander of the Seriense, appears to be a very 
worthy man and takes no part in the controversy, as far as known. He 
can not speak English. I can not yet believe Mr. Perrin will require 
him to commence war or reprisals, or even blockade. I am, however, in 
the highest degree anxious to have your instructions how far I may go 
in protecting the American flag if it shall be raised here. There will 
be no lack of volunteers to defend it on shore, and a host will soon rush 
here from California to uphold the stars and stripes. But then if the 
French should fire upon the town from the corvette, might not Capt. 
Gardiner interpose to protect American property which is to be found 
on both sides of every street in town, and all along the wharves? 
Under the circumstances I am strongly inclined to this opinion, but it 
requires very serious reflection. I hope no outbreak may change the 
present state of things till I can hear from you and know how far I can 
be justified in calling upon a volunteer force or any of our vessels of 
war to defend the American flag should it be raised here by the con- 
sent or desire of the existing Government. 

The Serieuse may now go away without" committing any act of hos- _ 
tility, but the difficulties are not settled. The French may return with 
a larger force. They have more ships of war in the Pacific — one frigate 
and a brig, I believe. The natives look upon them as enemies, and if 
they come again on a like errand we shall be again appealed to for pro- 
tection and the subject of annexation will come up again with added 
force. 

I hope the exigency will not arrive till after I have heard from you, 
as I greatly fear my inclination may lead me to transcend my authority. 
Meantime I shall endeavor to retain the confidence of the King, the 
chiefs, and the cabinet. Of the latter, John Young, minister of the in- 



332 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



terior, is the son of an Englishman by a native woman. Mr. Wylie, 
minister of foreign relations, is a Scotchman, liberal and learned. Dr. 
Judd, minister of finance, is from New York 5 so is the chief justice, 
W. L. Lee; and so is Mr. Bishop, the collector-general, who boards at 
the same table with me. Mr. Bates, the attorney- gen era!, is from 
Michigan. Mr. Armstrong, minister of public instruction, is from 
Pennsylvania; Judge Andrews is from Ohio. These Americans are 
now Hawaiian subjects, but they retain their affection for their native 
land. 

Wednesday, March 12. 

The King, his chiefs, and ministers, had a consultation at the palace 
on Monday night, and again on Tuesday night. It was the desire of 
the chiefs to appeal to Gen. Milier for British protection. This was 
promised them verbally by William IV, when they were in England. 
They have never forgotten it; but the general gave them no promises. 
At the same time he cautioned them against transferring their author- 
ity to any other power, evidently meaning the United States. I find 
he is beginning to be a little jealous of us. They say he complains of 
th e partiality of the Government to Americans. He breakfasted with M. 
Perrin a few days ago, and though he declares the French demands pre- 
posterous, he still seems little disposed to do much to oppose them. 
Perrin will doubtless inflame his jealousy of us as much as possible. 
Already I hear through a French channel that Perrin has no fear of 
England in this business. They both see that the natural tendency 
of events will be to thoroughly Americanize the islands, a process 
which will go on more rapidly when we get a steam communication 
with San Francisco. 

The tone of the California newspapers just received, too, will quicken 
these jealousies and apprehensions, if they are felt. But what is most 
important for you to know is that a paper has actually been drawn up 
and executed transferring the sovereign authority of the Islands to the 
United States with the design of having the flag of the United States 
above the Hawaiian. This is only to be used in case of hostilities by 
the French; otherwise to be a dead letter. I am not committed to this 
proceeding by any writing, nor have I been present, but have my in- 
formation from one who was presont. The most I have said in private 
conversation is, that if the King cedes the islands to the United States 
and puts up the American flag, I will do what I can to protect it for 
the time being, until the pleasure of my Government shall be known. 
Leaning upon us as they do, and sympathizing with them under aggra- 
vated wrongs and repeated insults, I could not tell them we should re- 
ject their proffered allegiance, and stand passive while they, with the 
American flag in their hands, should be trampled under foot by the 
French. If in this I have said too much, I am willing to be sacrificed 
if I can be the means of bringing about ultimate favorable results. 

The Falmouth is expected here shortly, and I am in hopes that when 
the news of difficulties here reaches Com. McAuley he will come here 
with the Ear i tan. There ought to be an American ship-of-war here most 
of the time ; its presence will have a salutary effect in preventing mis- 
chief. The English have had none here for some time. The fear of 
disturbances here operates injuriously upon our commerce, checks em- 
igration hither, and retards the purchase of lands here by Americans. 

You will get a pretty accurate view of these islands, their resources, 
and their politics, from Mr. Jarves' History, latest edition. Com. 
Wilkes, and Com. Jones too, understood the matter very well. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



333 



When Capt. La Place was here, in 1839, the French consul was Jules 
Dudoit; he has remained here, and is now a resident of the Island of 
Kircii. I am told on good authority that he says it was the intention 
of La Place to seize and retain the islands, and that in demanding the 
sum of $20,000, in default of which he would take possession, he had 
no idea the King could raise the money, and was much disappointed 
when he did so by borrowing it of the foreign residents. M. Dudoit 
has now large interests here and entirely disapproves the present con- 
duct of the French. 

The Government here has long been harassed by the continued inter- 
ference of foreign consuls. The English consuls have been as dicta- 
torial as the French in some things, especially in the matter of land 
claims. If an English subject had any sort of claim to a piece of land, 
he was pretty sure to get through the interference of the consul, who 
paid little respect to native courts. Property of great value in this 
town was given to Mr. Charlton by a decision of the law advisers of 
the British crown in London on a case made up by the consul. In fact, 
the independence of the Islands has not been practically acknowledged. 
The Government has been compelled to yield to every capricious de- 
mand which a British or French foreign resident chose to make, if lie 
could get his consul by any means to take up his case. He had only 
to point to the guns of a ship of war, and the trembling Government, 
conscious of its weakness, was forced to yield. The Government has 
sought guarantees of protection but has not obtained them. Mutual 
jealousy of each other, cooperating with more generous motives, dic- 
tated the joint declaration of 1843 by England and France; but this 
does not secure the Islands from continued annoyance by the latter, 
and hence the people here want a flag over them which will protect 
them. 

Wednesday (2 o'clock p. m). 
John Young, minister of the interior, and Dr. Gerret P. Judd, minis- 
ter of finance, have just called on me at my office, and delivered to me 
a paper, which, after allowing me to read, they sealed in my presence 
and delivered to me to be kept among the archives of the legation. It 
contains this indorsement upon the envelope in the native language, 
which Dr. Judd translated to me as follows: 

The King requests the Commissioner of the United States in case the flag of the 
United States is raised above the Hawaiian, that he will open the inclosed and act 
accordingly. 

The paper thus sealed is a cession of the sovereignty of the Islands 
to the United States by proclamation of the King, to be held until 
some arrangement satisfactory to all parties can be made consistent 
with the treaty obligations already existing; and in case none such 
can be made, then the transfer of sovereignty to be perpetual. 

This, of course, requires the consent of the United States, which I 
have not the authority to pledge, but I shall keep the paper and be 
governed by circumstances. The most I can do is to accept the trans- 
fer provisionally and wait for the decision of my Government there- 
upon. The proclamation also authorizes vessels with Hawaiian regis- 
ters to carry the flag of the United States. 

Dr. Judd, in the presence of Mr. Young, assured me that the King 
and his chosen and constitutional advisers were unanimous in agreeing 
to the course they had taken. 



334 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



March 16. 

I understand from Mr. Wyllie this morning, that M. Perrin has 
returned to him the copy of my letter setting forth the claim of Ladd & 
Co. for violation of the La Place treaty, deeming it to contain an offen- 
sive imputation on La Place, and also the correspondence between Mr. 
Bates and myself in relation to the treaty of 1846. You will have here- 
with copies of the correspondence so returned, and judge whether 1 have 
transgressed the rules of diplomatic decorum. 

In relation to the La Place treaty I have stated the literal truth. It 
was extorted at the mouth of cannon, and the world ought to know it, 
if it does not already. The official correspondence at the time demon- 
strates this, and M. Perrin can not deny it. Perhaps he takes this course 
to evade a demand which he can not meet by argument, for he has him- 
self admitted that the La Place treaty was in force from 1839 to 1846. 

I learned last night from undoubted authority (an American resident 
who has long been opposed to the Government here) that the few French 
and English residents here are trying to get up another opposition 
paper in place of one recently stopped for want of support. The pro- 
posed editor is an Englishman; the prospectus which has been pri- 
vately circulated denounces the missionaries and the Government. 
Funds will probably be raised and the paper started. You are aware 
that many Americans who hate the missionaries for reasons you no 
doubt understand and hate the Government for the same and other 
reasons have heretofore fallen into the opposition, but they have no 
intention of playing into the hands of the British or French leaders, 
and when the flag of the United States shall be raised every man of 
them will rally under it. The restraining moral and religious influence 
of the missionaries is odious to many here, and this is inflamed by for- 
eigners who see that these missionaries are all Americans, and con- 
versing as they do in the native language and mingling with the na- 
tives have a powerful influence over them. The same remark applies 
to the officers of the Government. They are now all with us, and we 
must keep them so. It has been otherwise. 

I refer to the nature of the American opposition to the Government 
here to let you see clearly what elements British or French influences 
have to work upon. But these will be swept away in a moment when 
the question lies between an American and some other foreign flag. It 
must be remarked, too, that the number opposed to the laws for the 
suppression of licentiousness and drunkenness is being constantly 
diminished comparatively by the arrival of merchants, agriculturists, 
and others with their families, giving a constantly improved tone to 
society, Avhieh is now very good in Honolulu. 

Monday, March 17, 
This is the King's birthday. Flags are displayed in all directions. 
The King has a levee to-night. 

The importers of foreign goods here may not like to substitute the 
American tariff for the Hawaiian, but then there will be ample coinpem 
sation in having free trade with our part of the continent, and 30 per 
cent protection on sugar. Even now there is a greater amount of goods 
imported from the United States than from all the world beside. The 
5 per cent will be saved on this. The natural markets of these islands 
are along the Pacific American coast, while the imports will come from 
all parts of the world, but being chiefly from the United States will 
pay no duties. 

It is believed to be a part of the design of the new paper to attempt to 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



335 



control the elections to the legislative body. At the last election Dr. 
Booke, one of the successful candidates, an Englishman and not a 
Catholic, received every Catholic vote, the tickets for him being marked 
with a cross. If there should be an attempt to unite the European and 
Catholic interests in the elections, it will bring all the Americans to act 
together and they will carry all the chiefs and nine-tenths of the na- 
tive votes with them. We look to the legislative body to sanction and 
confirm the action of the King and the chiefs. I hold it to be pretty 
certain the native Government can not last long. The King's health 
is precarious ; he is not so temperate as he ought to be, and the prince, 
heir apparent, is unfortunately getting into the same way. They are 
now under good restraining influences, but they are often tempted by 
wine and flattery to discard their Puritanical advisers and maintain 
their royal prerogatives. It is almost a marvel that they have resisted 
these seductions so well as they have; but they have some chiefs in 
their council who are very wise and cautious men. 

As to the importance of these islands to our commerce I need say 
nothing to you. This town must be a great depot for coal for the 
steamers to China and of supplies for the whaling fleet. But besides 
this the islands have great agricultural capacities. I have before me 
the first volume of the translations of the Hawaiian Agricultural Soci- 
ety, of which I have become a member. Among the papers is an 
address of H. M. Whitney, who has long been a resident of the islands. 
He estimates that there are 224,000 acres of sugar lands, and twice 
that number of acres of tillable lands. Calculating sugar at 6 cents 
per pound, he says the annual produce of the lands would be no less 
than $27,000,000. He puts down the probable exports thus: 



From the produce of soil $20, 250. 000 

From hides, tallow, and beef ' 1, 875, 000 

Butter and cheese 1, 000, 000 



Total 23,125,000 



This may be an extravagant estimate, but it is no longer doubtful 
that the islands can produce avast amount of sugar, coffee, and a great 
variety of tropical fruits, precisely such as are wanted on our Pacific 
coast, while an acre of swampy taso land will supply half a dozen 
families of natives with food. 

I am happy to say that the Hawaiian Government has no public 
debt, but has public lands, though perhaps the King and chiefs own 
the greater part of the vacant lands in their individual rights. The 
public funds have been very carefully managed, much better probably 
than they would have been had the opposition prevailed upon the King- 
to discharge his ministers. 

In the report of the minister of finance of 1850 I find the following 
passage : 

In reporting the state of the department of finance it is with extreme pleasure 
that it can be said in brief to be out of debt, and that the revenue received has 
been sufficient to meet the current exigencies of the Government and to admit the 
expending of a considerable sum in permanent improvements for the general good. 

Entire receipts $301, 576. 61 

Disbursements 179, 034. 54 

Balance in favor of treasury 122, 542. 07 

The whole balance of assets in favor of the treasury is $170,981.40, 
but deducting the amount not deemed available the balance is $04,539.39, 
Not many independent governments stand so well as this. 



336 



HAWAII AX ISLANDS. 



There are some claims against the Government, but the greater 
amount of them, if good against the Government, are good against 
France, being damages for nonexecution of the Laplace treaty by- 
France, as set forth in my ?$o. 7, March 3, to the Hawaiian minister of 
foreign relations. 

While thus out of debt and with money in the treasury, there is also 
Government property to the value of several hundred thousand dollars, 
which ought, I think, to be left to the territory when formed, as the 
tariff of the United States wouid here produce more revenue than the 
government of the islands would cost the United States. Leaving the 
lands also to the island territorial or state Government would still be 
a vast deal better bargain than we made with Texas in a financial point 
of view. 

Maech 18. 

A good deal of powder was burned yesterday in celebrating the 
King's birthday. There were flags of all sorts, and in the evening the 
palace was crowded by the representatives of all nations, except the 
"Palani" (French). So many white faces (and especially ladies) were 
never seen there before. The number is rapidly increasing every year. 

After the company departed the King's band came to my lodgings 
Hid played " Hail Columbia." I know not if there was a special design 
n it. The band is composed of Germans and natives. 

The white population of the islands is increasing; the native is dimin- 
ishing. The commerce with British possessions in i^ew Zealand and 
Kew Holland is increasing, as also with Ghina and the East Indies, and 
emigrants come from both quarters. We want the steam communica- 
tion with San Francisco as . quick as possible. Mr. Kingsbury, of Xew 
YTork, is here trying to make arrangements to put two steamers on the 
line from here to the coast and also to go from one island to another. 
With these steamers and a telegraph from San Francisco to Washing- 
ton we can communicate with you in about a week; so I hope you will 
not object to a political connection on account of distance. Nor are we 
so far from the centripetal force of our republic as to be in danger of 
being thrown off in a tangent. We must not take the islands in virtue 
of the " manifest destiny " principle, but can we not accept their vol- 
untary offer ? Who has a right to forbid the bans ? 

I ought, perhaps, to have stated before, though it may be known to 
you, that there is no land tax. Foreigners are not taxed on their rirop- 
erty. There is a poll tax or labor tax, but the revenues are mostly de- 
rived from customs, tonnage duties, licenses, harbor dues, stamps, etc. 
But roads are much wanted, and the making of most of them will be 
expensive, from the mountainous nature of the country. 

Thursday, March 20. 
From present appearances the plan of getting up an opposition paper 
here in the British interest will fail. So many Americans belonging to 
the old opposition have joined in the project they will be sure to con- 
trol it. They have been put on their guard and will insist on having 
an American editor. We can not yet let the American opposition into 
our secret, lest it should get out. These Americans are in favor of 
annexation, but they have no idea the cabinet they are opposing are 
equally so, and they, in their hatred of the missionaries, have appa- 
rently not considered how powerful the latter may be in any question 
between American and other foreign influence with the natives. The 
Protestant missionaries are all Americans — all republicans. The Cath- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



337 



olic missionaries have all their instructions from Eome and are all 
Frenchmen— Jesuits, in part, if not wholly. 

With an American editor for the opposition paper, we can prevent 
him from doing any serious mischief. I have confided our secret to 
Dr. Robert W. Wood, one of this old American opposition to the Gov- 
ernment, but a very discreet and influential man, with whom I have 
daily intercourse. He has two extensive sugar plantations and ar- 
dently desires annexation. He now goes into the support of the new 
paper for the purpose of keeping it in American hands. If the British 
interest insist on controlling it, the Americans will all drop it, and then 
it will be powerless. 

Friday, March 21. 
I hear to-day from members of the cabinet that the difficulties with 
M. Perrin are in part settled, or waived, and in part referred to the 
French Government at home, and that the Serieuse will soon go away, 
leaving M. Perrin here. A few days ago he increased his demands. 
Mr. Wyllie told him they were wholly inadmissible. He then intimated 
that he should be compelled to enforce them. Mr. Wyllie told him in a 
very significant manner that if he did so the King's independence 
would be at an end. Mr. Dudoit had told him before that if he pushed 
his demands too far, the islands would go into the possession of the United 
States. Probably he had the same intimation from other quarters. 
Mr. Wyllie's remark and manner confirmed these intimations, and it is 
probably in consequence that he has since lowered his tone and evinced 
a disposition to recede as fast as his dignity and French honor will 
permit. 

The duty on distilled spirits, in accordance with the recommendation 
of the Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce (composed of merchants, chiefly 
Americans), will be reduced to $2.50; but there will be no treaty stipu- 
lation about it. It satisfies M. Perrin for the present, though the effect 
will be to diminish the importation of French brandy and increase the 
importation of rum, gin, and wiiisky. 

The question of indemnity to the Hawaiian Government for property 
destroyed, the King's yacht carried off, and damages under the La- 
place treaty, is to be referred to the French Government. I do not 
see that M. Perrin gains anything whatever by his mission. When the 
Serieuse goes away the Vandalia will go also, but I hope another Ameri- 
can ship- of- war will soon be here. The natives look to us now as their 
friends and protectors, and they do not regard the matter as finally 
settled, as indeed it is not. ]N T ew demands may be made at any time 
and perhaps a larger armament be sent to enforce them. 

Now the question may arise, What shall I do with the King's cession 
to the United States? Ought I to retain it if he asks for it? I think 
I shall not give it up till I hear from you. We have a great interest in 
the islands, and may as well hold the paper as security against a 
cession to any other power. We should not enforce it against the will 
of the King and his chiefs, but his health is precarious, and such are the 
habits of his appointed successor there is no knowing whom he may 
choose for his constitutional advisers. He may be weary of the moral 
restraints imposed upon him now and throw himself into the arms of 
some interest altogether hostile to us. In that event the paper I hold 
may have its use. I want your instructions before any new difficulties 
arise. 

Capt. Gardiner, of the Vandalia, will take this letter and forward it 
to you by some trusty hand. 

H. Ex. 48 22 



338 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



1 dine with Gen. Miller, the British consul-general for the Pacific 
islands, this afternoon, and may be able to pick np some information. 

I now close this letter, but shall write further by the same convey- 
ance. I have written this as altogether confidential. 
With great respect. I have the honor, etc., 

Luther Severance. 



Mr. Webster to Mr. Rives. 

No. 28.] Department of State. 

Washington. June 19. 1851. 

William C. Eives, Esq.. etc.: 

Sir : In the dispatch from this Department (No. 15) of the oth of 
July last, you were instructed with reference to the application of 
Messrs. G. P. Judd and James Jackson Jarves, special commissioners 
of the Hawaiian Government, for the mediation of the Government of 
the United States for the purpose of adjusting the differences between 
that Government and the Government of France. In your dispatch 
(No. 19) of the 12th of September, you stated that you would avail your- 
self of the first suitable occasiou towards bringing about an amicable 
adjustment of the controversy. It is believed, however, that you have 
not since mentioned the subject. 

It appears from the accompanying letters addressed to the Depart- 
ment and to the Eev. Burns Anderson by Mr. Judd. from Panama, that 
the French Government declined to accept the mediation of the Gov- 
ernment of Great Britain, and dispatched an agent to the Sandwich 
Islands, whom Mr. Judd met at Panama, waiting for the arrival of 
an armed force from Callao, with which he intended to proceed to the 
islands for hostile purposes. The public journals have since announced 
that hehad reached his destination and had entered upon a correspond- 
ence with the Hawaiian Government. This intelligence has given the 
President much pain. It has also alarmed the American Board of Mis- 
sions, whose corresponding secretary visited this city last autumn, 
brought with him the letter from Mr. Judd to the Bev. Mr. Anderson 
above referred to, aud made application for vessels of war of the 
United States to be sent to the islands for the protection of the persons 
and property of the missionaries there. 

Under these circumstances, if you should not already have made the 
French Government acquainted with the interest we feel in the inde- 
pendence of the islands, you will lose no time in taking that course. 

The proceedings of M. Dillon and the French admiral there in 1819, 
so far as we are informed respecting them, seem, both in their origin 
and in their nature, to have been incompatible with any just regard for 
the Hawaiian Government as an independent state. They can not, 
according to our impressions, be accounted for upon any other hypo- 
thesis than a determination on the part of those officers to humble and 
annihilate that Government for refusing to accede to demands which, 
if granted, must have been at the expense of all self-respect and sub- 
stantial sovereignty. The further enforcement of those demands which, 
it appears, is the object of Mr. Perrin's mission, would be tantamount to 
a subjugation of the islands to the dominion of France. A step like 
this could not foil to be viewed by the Government and people of the 
United States with a dissatisfaction which would tend seriously to 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



339 



disturb our existing friendly relations with the French Government. 
This is a result to be deplored. If, therefore, it should not be too late, 
it is hoped that you will make such representations upon the subject to 
the minister of foreign affairs of France as will induce that Government 
to desist from measures incompatible with the sovereignty and inde- 
pendence of the Hawaiian Islands, and to make amends for the acts 
which the French agents have already committed there in contraven- 
tion of the law of nations and of the treaty between the Hawaiian 
Government and France. 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Danl. Webster. 



JOINT RESOLUTION. 

Be it resolved by the nobles and representatives of the Hawaiian Islands 
in legislative council assembled, That, in the sense of this house, the 
demands of France are so clearly unjust and contrary to the laws of 
nations and to treaty, and the course pursued by her so incompatible 
with the existence of a regular independent government in these 
islands; if France should persist in such a course it will be the duty of 
the King to shield himself and his kingdom from insult and oppres- 
sion by placing this kingdom under the protection of some friendly 
state; and that should such emergency be so urgent as not to admit of 
the legislative council being convened, it shall be left to His Majesty 
by and with the advice of his privy council, under such emergency, to 
consult the honor and safety of his kingdom, according to His Majesty's 
best judgment; and that whatever he may do will be binding upon 
the nation. 

Passed both houses of the legislature June 21, 1851. 

Wi. L. Lee, 
Speaker of the Rouse of Representatives. 

Keoni Ana, 
President of the Rouse of Nobles. 

Approved by the King, August 4, 1851. 

Kamehameha. 
Keoni Ana. 



Mr. Rives to Mr. Webster. 

No. 95.] Vichy, July 8, 1851. 

Sir : I received here three days ago your dispatch No. 28. 

While Gen. de la Hitte was minister of foreign affairs I had sev- 
eral conversations with him respecting the unhappy differences which 
had arisen between France and the Hawaiian Government. I availed 
myself of those occasions to represent to him the deep interest Avhich 
the people and Government of the United States feel in the welfare and 
independence of the Hawaiian Islands, and their earnest desire to see 
the controversy then pending brought to an amicable conclusion, which 
should be consistent alike with the magnanimity of France and the 
claims of justice on both sides. Gen. de la Hitte always testified the 
best dispositions on the subject, and I had reason to think that he was 



340 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



far from approving in all things the conduct of the French agent in 
1849. Since his retirement from the ministry there have been such 
frequent changes in the department of foreign affairs that I have had 
no suitable opportunity of recurring to the subject in the brief periods 
of official intercourse with the successive ministers who have tempora- 
rily occupied the department ; nor indeed did I suppose from all that 
has come to my knowledge that there was any serious danger of meas- 
ures being pursued which might compromise the independence or over- 
awe the freedom of action of the Hawaiian Government in regard to 
the matters in dispute. 

Since the receipt of your dispatch, I have felt it my duty to address 
a communication to the minister of foreign affairs, setting forth plainly 
and frankly, but in a tone not calculated to wound the pride or dignity 
of the French Government, the views of the Government of the United 
States as embodied in your dispatch, the deep interest it feels in the 
independence of the Sandwich Islands, and the danger that would con- 
sequently arise of an interruption of the good understanding now hap- 
pily existing between France and the United States, if measures should 
be pursued by her authority incompatible with a just respect of that 
independence, To give the full effect you desire to these representa- 
tions, it seemed to me indispensable that they should be made in writ- 
ing, for, besides the consideration that mere verbal communications 
never have the weight and importance that are attached to written 
ones, a strong additional reason is furnished by the changes of ministry 
which so frequently occur here for placing the views of the Govern- 
ment of the United States on record, where they will pass under the 
eyes of whatever ministers may successively be called to conduct the 
department of foreign affairs. A copy of the communication ad- 
dressed to me by the minister of foreign affairs is herewith inclosed. 
I shall return to Paris in a few days, and if anything of importance 
should occur in my interview with the minister I will embrace the 
earliest opportunity to communicate it to you. 
I have the honor to be, etc., 

W. C. Eives. 



Mr. Webster to Mr. Severance. 

No. 4.] Department of State, 

Washington, July 14, 1851. 

Luther Severance, Esq. : 

Sir: Your confidential communications, Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, 
have been duly received, submitted to the President, and by him con- 
sidered. 

They relate to. a subject of great importance, not only to the Hawai- 
ian Government and its citizens, but also to the United States. 

The Government of the United States was the first to acknowledge 
the national existence of the Hawaiian Government, and to treat with it 
as an independent state. Its example was soon followed by several of 
the Governments of Europe; and the United States, true to its treaty 
obligations, has in no case interfered with the Hawaiian Government 
for the purpose of opposing the course of its own independent conduct, 
or of dictating to it any particular line of policj^. In acknowledging the 
independence of the islands, and of the Government established over 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



341 



them, it was not seeking to promote any peculiar object of its own. 
What it did, and all that it did, was done openly in the face of day, in 
entire good faith, and known to all nations. It declared its real pur- 
pose to be to favor the establishment of a government at a very im- 
portant point in the Pacific Ocean, which should be able to maintain 
such relations with the rest of the world, as are maintained between 
civilized states. 

From this purpose it has never swerved for a single moment, nor is 
it inclined, without the pressure of some necessity, to depart from it 
now, when events have occurred giving to the islands and to their 
intercourse with the United States a new aspect and increased import- 
ance. 

This Government still desires to see the nationality of the Hawaiian 
Government maintained, its independent administration of public af- 
fairs respected, and its prosperity and reputation increased. 

But while thus indisposed to exercise any sinister influence itself 
over the counsels of Hawaii, or to overawe the proceedings of its Gov- 
ernment by the menace or the actual application of superior military 
force, it expects to see other powerful nations act in the same spirit. 
It is, therefore, with unfeigned regret that the President has read the 
correspondence and become acquainted with the circumstances occur- 
ring between the Hawaiian Government and M. Perrin, the commis- 
sioner of France at Honolulu. 

It is too plain to be denied or doubted that demands were made upon 
the Hawaiian Government by the French commissioner wholly incon- 
sistent with its character as an independent state, demands which 
if submitted to in this case would be sure to be followed by other de- 
mands equally derogatory, not only from the same quarter, but prob- 
ably also from other states, and this could only end in rendering the 
islands and their Government a prey to the stronger commercial nations 
of the world. 

It can not be expected that the Government of the United States 
could look on a course of things leading to such a result with indiffer- 
ence. 

The Hawaiian Islands are ten times nearer to the United States than 
to any of the powers of Europe. Five-sixths of all their commercial 
intercourse is with the United States, and these considerations, to- 
gether with others of a more general character, have fixed the course 
which the Government of the United States will pursue in regard to 
them. The annunciation of this policy will not surprise the governments 
of Europe, nor be thought to be unreasonable by the nations of the 
civilized world, and that policy is that while the Government of the 
United States, itself faithful to its original assurance, scrupulously 
regards the independence of the Hawaiian Islands, it can never consent 
to see those islands taken possession of by either of the great commer- 
cial powers of Europe, nor can it consent that demands, manifestly 
unjust and derogatory and inconsistent with a bona fide independence, 
shall be enforced against that Government. 

The substance of what is here said has already been intimated with 
sufficient explicitness to the Government of France, and we have the 
assurance of his excellency, M. Sartiges, minister of the Eepublic of 
France near the United States, that that Government has no purpose 
whatever of taking possession of the islands or of acting towards them 
in any hostile or aggressive spirit. 

A copy of this letter will be placed in the hands of the French min- 
ister here j another copy will be transmitted to Paris j and another copy 



342 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



you will please to communicate to M. Perrin, the French commissioner, 
upon the appearance of any disposition on his part or on the part of 
any French naval commander in the Pacific Ocean to proceed to hos- 
tilities against the Government of Hawaii for the purpose of enforcing 
the demands which have been made upon it on the part of France. 

The Navy Department will receive instructions to place, and to keep, 
the naval armament of the United States in the Pacific Ocean in such 
a state of strength and preparation as shall be requisite for the preser- 
vation of the honor and dignity of the United States and the safety 
of the Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 
I have, etc., 

Daniel Webster. 



[Unnumbered.] 

Mr. Webster to Mr. Severance. 

Department of State, 

Washington, July 14, 1851. 

Sir: I have written you a regular official dispatch, setting forth the 
principles of policy which will be pursued by the administration here in 
whatever respects the Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

I now write you a letter of private instructions, made necessary by 
suggestions contained in your communications by Lieut. Johnson. 

In the first place. I have to say that the war-making power in this 
Government rests entirely with Congress, and that the President can 
authorize belligerent operations only in the cases expressly provided 
for by the Constitution and the laws. By these no power is given to the 
Executive to oppose an attack by one independent nation on the pos- 
sessions of another. We are bound to regard both France and Hawaii 
as independent states, and equally independent; and though the gen- 
eral policy of the Government might lead it to take part with either in 
a controversy with the other, still, if this interference be an act of 
hostile force, it is not within the constitutional power of the President, 
and still less is it within the power of any subordinate agent of Govern- 
ment, civil or military. If the Scrieuse had attacked Honolulu, and 
thereupon the Vandalia had fired upon the Serieuse, this last act would 
have been an act of violence against France not to be justified, and, in 
fact, if not disavowed at Washington it would have been an act of 
war. In these cases, where the power of Congress can not be exer- 
cised beforehand, all must be left to the redress which that body may 
subsequently authorize. This you will constantly bear in mind. But, 
at the same time, it is not necessary that you should enter into these 
explanations with the French commissioner or the French naval com- 
mander. 

In my official letter of this date I have spoken of what the United 
States would do in certain contingencies. But in thus speaking of the 
Government of the United States I do not mean the executive yjower, 
but the Government in its general aggregate, and especially that branch 
of the Government which possesses the war-making power. This dis- 
tinction you will carefully observe, and you will neither direct, request, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



343 



or encourage any naval officer of the United States in committing hos- 
tilities on French vessels of war. 

Another leading topic in your communication is the proposed con- 
tingent surrender by the Government of the islands of their sovereignty 
to the United States or their annexation to this country. 

This is a very important question, and one which you will readily see 
rises above any functions with which you are charged. It may, indeed, 
be A ery proper for you in this case, as well as in all others, to communi- 
cate to your Government whatever the Government to which you are 
accredited desire to have so communicated 5 but it is very important 
that on a question involving such deep interests, both domestic and 
foreign, you should yourself altogether forbear expressing any opinion 
whatever to the Hawaiian Government. You will see by my official 
letter, which you are at liberty to communicate to that Government, 
the disposition of the United States to maintain its independence; 
beyond that you will not proceed. The act of contingent or conditional 
surrender, which you mention in your letter as having been placed in 
your hands, you will please to return to the Hawaiian Government. 
In this case the Government of the United States acts upon principles 
of general policy ; it will protect its own rights. It feels a deep interest 
in the preservation of Hawaiian independence, and all questions beyond 
this, should they arise, must be considered and settled hereby the com- 
petent authorities. 

You inform us that many American citizens have gone to settle in 
the islands; if so, they have ceased to be American citizens. The 
Government of the United States must, of course, feel an interest in 
them not extended to foreigners, but by the law of nations they have no 
right further to demand the protection of this Government. Whatever 
aid or protection might under any circumstances be given them must 
be given, not as a matter of right on their part, but in consistency with 
the general policy and duty of the Government and its relations with 
friendly powers. 

You will therefore not encourage in them, nor indeed in any others, 
any idea or expectation that the islands will become annexed to the 
United Sta tes. All this, I repeat, will be judged of hereafter, as circum- 
stances and events may require, by the Government at Washington. 

I do not suppose there is any immediate danger of any new menaces 
from France; still less of any actual attack on the islands by her naval 
armament. Nevertheless you will keep us constantly and accurately 
informed of whatever transpires. 

Your account of the prosperity of the islands and the fiscal condition 
of its Government is interesting, and you can be hardly too full and 
particular in such statements. 

Mr. Allen is at present quite unwell at Boston. As soon as he is 
able he will return to his post. Lieut. Johnson will take this dispatch 
to Panama. If Mr. Allen's illness should continue for any length ot 
time, which we hope may not be the case, Lieut. Johnson will be 
directed to return without him. 
I have the honor, etc., 

Daniel Webster. 



344 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Rice* to Mr. Webster. 

No. 97.] Legation of the United States, 

Paris, July 22, 1851. 

Sir: I inclose "herewith the copy of a letter I received a few days 
ago at Vichy, from the minister of foreign affairs in answer to the one 
I addressed to him on the 8th instant, in relation to the Sandwich 
islands. Yoii will observe that after expressing the painful surprise 
my communication had caused him, he states that the information 
which had been received in the United States respecting the pending 
measures and intentions of the French Government towards those 
islands, and on which your despatch No. 28 was founded, is erroneous; 
which he has instructed Monsieur de Sartiges to rectify in his commu- 
nications with you at Washington, while he awaits my return to Paris 
to give me viva voce the same eclaircissemens here. 

I waited upon the minister of foreign affairs as soon as I returned, 
and after some moments of conversation on general topics he entered 
upon the subject of our recent correspondence. He said that he had 
been surprised and even pained at the apparent facility with which the 
Government of the United States had given credence to the rumors 
which had reached it respecting the supposed designs of France toward 
the Sandwich Islands; that there was in truth no real foundation lor 
those rumors; that the French Government bad ordered no hostile 
demonstrations whatever to sustain M. Perrin's mission to coerce the 
submission of the islands to its demands; that not having the advan- 
tage which both England and the United States possessed in the pres- 
ence and controlling influence of natives of each of those countries in 
the Hawaiian councils, it might sometimes find it necessary to employ 
a more energetic tone of negotiation than either of those powers to ob- 
tain an equal treatment with them, but that the Government of the 
United States might be assured that France would always respect the 
independence of these islands, which she had a common interest with 
other commercial nations in maintaining; and that nothing was more 
remote from her wishes or intentions in any event than to subject 
them to her dominion or to acquire territorial sovereignty over them. 

I told Monsieur Baroche that I should ha^e great pleasure in com- 
municating to you these explicit and honorable declarations on the part 
of the French Government; and having already presented to him in 
writing the views of the Government of the United States, as expressed 
in your dispatch of the 19th ultimo, I did not think it necessary to add 
anything further than to say that the rumors which he seeme'd to think 
had met with too easy a credence at Washington, had come through a 
semiofficial channel which it would have been difficult wholly to dis- 
regard. 

I will take this occasion to remark that there seems to have been an 
entire misconception on the part of Mr. Judd as to the nature of the 
instructions received from the Department of State, in June, 1850, 
respecting the controversy between France and the Hawaiian Govern- 
ment. In both of his letters, which accompanied your dispatch No. 
28, he speaks of my being authorized to propose to the French Gov- 
ernment the good offices of the United States for the adjustment of the 
controversy. It will be seen, however, on reference to the instructions 
addressed to me, that, without any proposal of the good offices of the 
United States for settling the matters in dispute, I was to take a 
" proper opportunity " in my intercourse with the minister of foreign 
affairs, " if circumstances, in my judgment, should warrant it," to 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



345 



intimate to him the deep interest which the United States have 
in maintaining the independence of the Sandwich Islands, and to em- 
ploy the other topics of persuasive consideration suggested in those 
instructions a toward a satisfactory accommodation of the dispute;" 
all of which was to be done with " prudence," and without entering 
into the merits of the controversy between the French and Hawaiian 
authorities, on which the Department of State did not consider u the 
occasion as calling for the expression of an opinion." 

My understanding of these instructions at the time was manifested 
by my dispatch No. 49, acknowledging their receipt, to which you refer, 
and in which I say : 

I shall, in the exercise of the discretion they commit to me, profit of the first occa- 
sion which may seem suitable and proper to bring the views and considerations they 
suggest to the aid of an amicable adjustment of the difficulties between the Sand- 
wich Islands and this Government without intruding officially or offensively in the 
controversy between the parties. 

These instructions were accordingly fulfilled in my conversations 
with Gen. de La Hitte, while he was minister of foreign affairs, as 
stated in my dispatch No. 95, being persuaded that if anything further 
were deemed necessary, I should receive instructions to that effect as 
soon as the occasion arose to call for them. I was the more convinced 
of the propriety of not going beyond the line of my original instruc 
tions, until it should plainly become my duty to do so, because I sa^rc 
evidences of an. undue anxiety on the part of the British Government, 
as represented here, to put us forward in an invidious and delicate 
office which might compromise our friendly relations with France, 
when that Government itself was particularly required and called upon 
by the joint engagement entered into by France and England on the 
28th November, 1843, for the mutual respect of the independence of 
the Sandwich Islands, to take the iniative on the occasion, and also be- 
cause I had every reason to believe from the declarations of Gen. de La 
Hitte that there was no design on the part of the French Government 
to menace or endanger their independence. 
I have the honor, etc., 

W. C. Eives. 



Mr. Rives to Mr. Webster. 

No. 109.] Legation of the United States, 

Paris, October 30, 1851. 

Sir: After disposing of the particular object of my call, Monsieur 
Viel-Castel took occasion to remark to me in a friendly, but at the same 
time very earnest, tone that the Government of the Republic had been 
very much annoyed by the consequences, as it had been sensibly 
wounded by the manner of the intervention of the Government of the 
United States in their difficulties with the Sandwich Islands. 

He said that since the communication you had addressed to the com- 
missioner of the United States in the islands had been known there, 
the Hawaiian authorities had refused absolutely to listen to any of the 
demands of the French Government, and made no other reply to the 
French consul than that if those demands were pressed they would 
immediately put themselves under the protectorate of the United 
States. He further 61 served that all they asked or wished of the Ha- 



346 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



waiian Government was a fair and substantially equal treatment of 
their commerce, navigation., and the religion of their citizens, rela- 
tively to that which the same interests of England and the United States 
enjoyed; that the French Government had never had the slightest 
intention of pursuing any measures toward the Sandwich Islands 
inconsistent with a just respect of their independence; that after the 
receipt of the letter I had addressed to the minister of foreign affairs 
in July last, Monsieur de Sartiges had been instructed to give you the 
fullest and most formal assurances to that effect; but if they had 
known at the time, or could have anticipated, the course which was pur- 
sued by the Government of the United States in the matter, the dignity 
of the French Government would not have permitted them, in such 
circumstances, to give the frank and unreserved explanations which 
had been authorized. 

He spoke of the manner in which the interposition of the United 
States had taken place as being unusual and wounding (blessante) to 
the dignity of the French Government, referring, as I understood him, 
to the circumstance of a communication on the subject being first ad- 
dressed to the commissioner of the United States, and immediately 
afterwards made known by a circular to all the members of the diplo- 
matic corps at Washington. He said it so happened that the first 
information of the proceeding reached them through the English lega- 
tion here, which was very prompt to communicate it. He alluded, 
also, to the circumstance that the United States had been invited to 
become a party to the convention concluded between France and Eng- 
land in 1843 for mutually respecting the independence of the Sandwich 
Islands, but the invitation had been declined, a circumstance which, 
he thought, should protect France from the suspicion of having im- 
proper designs upon the independence of the islands. 

Mr. Viel-Oastel concluded by saying that in the x>osition in Avhich 
they were now placed by the proceedings of the Government of the 
United States it was not possible they could ask of us our good offices 
in bringing about an arrangement of their difficulties with the Sand- 
wich Islands, but Jie trusted the United States itself would be prompted 
by it's own sense of justice and a feeling of common friendship for both 
parties to use its influence with the Hawiian Government to extend an 
equal treatment in the spirit of its treaty obligations to French inter- 
ests with those of other nations. 

I report to you without comment these observations of M. Viel- 
Castel, with as near a conforming to his own language as I have been 
able to attain. You will best appreciate their bearing and importance 
on the points which seemed most to touch the susceptibility of the 
French Government. I made such observations to him in reply as, 
without departing from the position taken by the Government of the 
United States, seemed best calculated to exhibit it in a friendly and 
conciliatory aspect. In this spirit (considering the preservation of the 
ancient friendly relations between the two countries as a matter of the 
highest importance to both, and, indeed, to all mankind) I have hitherto 
endeavored to conduct my official intercourse with this Government, 
and I am happy to say that I have always found it reciprocated in the 
fullest measure by the public authorities here. 
I have the honor, etc., 

W. C. Rives. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



347 



Mr. Marcy to Mr. Mason. 

Ko. 3.] Department of State, 

Washington, December 16, 1853. 

John Mason, Esq., etc. : 

Sir : Recent accounts from the Sandwich Islands represent that the 
political affairs of the Hawaiian Government were in an unsettled state 
and some changes of high official men had been made. The political 
agitations were in a great measure composed at the date of the last 
dispatches from our commissioner, but while they existed the question 
of transferring the sovereignty of these islands to the United States 
was much discussed. As it was to be expected, the representatives of 
Great Britain and France at Honolulu were disturbed by the agitation 
of this question and used all their influence to repress the rising senti- 
ment of annexation to this country. 

I have good reason for believing that both Great Britain and France 
feel much solicitude in relation to the future destiny of the Sandwich 
Islands and are very unwilling to see them become a territory of the 
United States. Their respective ministers near this Government have 
had several conferences with me on that subject in which they ap- 
peared to be desirous of getting assurances that this Government 
would take no measures to acquire the sovereignty of these islands or 
accept it if voluntarily offered to the United States. Their language 
to me leaves it doubtful in my mind how far Great Britain and France 
intend to go in preventing such a transference of them to this country, 
I am satisfied that these powers will do what they can short of a resort 
to actual force to defeat that object. Their ministers, particularly the 
minister of France, labored to impress me with the belief that such a 
transfer would be forcibly resisted; but I do not believe that these 
Governments would go to that extreme length unless there should be 
something in the manner of acquiring the islands which would afford 
a plausible pretense for such an interference. 

The object in addressing you at present is to request you to look into 
this matter and ascertain, if possible, without making it a matter of 
direct discussion, what would probably be the course of France in case 
of an attempt on the part of the United States to add these* islands to 
our territorial possessions by negotiation or other peaceable means. 

I do not think the present Hawaiian Government can long remain in 
the hands of the present rulers or under the control of the native inhab- 
itants of these islands, and both England and France are apprised of 
our determination not to allow them to be owned by or to fall under 
the protection of either of these powers or of any other European 
nation. 

It seems to be inevitable that they must come under the control of 
this Government, and it would be but reasonable and fair that these 
powers should acquiesce in such a disposition of them, provided the 
transference was effected by fair means. 

It has been intimated that Russia takes an interest in the destiny of 
the Sandwich Islands, and even has an eye on them for herself. I do 
not doubt that she would prefer that they should remain as they are 
rather than see them under the control or in the possession of either 
Great Britain, France, or the United States, but it is scarcely probable 
that she would actively interfere in the matter. As to England and 
France, a different conclusion may be adopted. The views of the 
French Government, and the part it would take in case the United 



348 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



States should accept or acquire fairly the sovereignty of these islands 1 
hope you will be able to ascertain, and will apprise your Government 
thereof. 

1 am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. L. Marcy. 



To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit to the Senate a report from the Secretary of State, with 
accompanying papers, in answer to their resolution of the 2d instant. 

Franklin Pierce. 

Washington, March 3, 1854. 



To the President of the United States: 

The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the 
Senate of the 2d instant, requesting the President to communicate to 
that body, if not incompatible with the public interest, " copies of all 
correspondence between the Governments of the United States and 
Great Britain in regard to the Sandwich Islands, including copies of 
all communications between the Secretary of State and Mr. Fox, the 
British minister, during the years 1843 and 1844, in regard to the in- 
dependence of those islands, and especially of the letters of Mr. Fox to 
Mr. Upshur of the 25th of June, 1843, and of Mr. Upshur to Mr. Fox of 
the 5th of July, 1843; also a copy of any protest or other communica- 
tion from the King of the Sandwich Islands to this Government in re- 
gard to the seizure of those islands by Lord George Paulet, commander 
of Her Britannic Majesty's ship Garysfort, and of any reply of this Gov- 
ernment thereto," has the honor to lay before the President the papers 
mentioned in the subjoined list. 

Respectfully submitted. 

W. L. Marcy. 

Department of State, 

Washington, February 15, 1854. 



LIST OF ACCOMPANYING PAPERS. 

Mr. Everett to Mr. Webster, July 1, 1842, extract. 

King Kamehameha III to the President, March 10. 1843, copy. 

Mr. Webster to Mr. Everett, March 23, 1843. copy. 

Mr. Everett to Mr. Webster, March 28, 1843, extract. 

Mr. Everett to Mr. Legare, June 1, 1843, extract. 

Mr. Everett to Mr. Legare. June 3. 1843, copy, 

Mr. Legare to Mr. Everett. June 13. 1843, extract. 

Mr. Everett to Mr. Legare, June 14, 1813, extract. 

Mr. Fox to Mr. Upshur, June 25, 1843, ropy, 

Mr. Everett to Mr. Legare, July 1. 1843, extract. 

Mr. Upshur to Mr. Fox, July 5, 1843, copy. 

Mr. Everett to Mr. Upshur, August 15, 1813, extract. 

Mr. Everett to Mr. Upshur, September 28, 1843, extract. 

Mr. Everett to Mr. Nelson (with inclosuro), April 24, 1814, copy. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



349 



Mr. Everett to Mr. Webster. 

[Extract.] 

]STo. 16.] Legation of the United States, 

London, July 1, 1842. 

Daniel Webster, Esq., 

Secretary of State : 

Sir: 

■ # # # * * * * 

Mr. Brinsruade, the commercial agent of the United States to the 
Sandwich Islands, lately arrived here. He is intrusted with letters 
from the King of those islands to the sovereigns of Great Britain and 
France, of purport similar to that of which he was the bearer to the 
President. I introduced him to Mr. Addington, under secretary of 
state, who appeared to take an interest in his errand. 

# # # # # # * ;. 

I am, sir, with the highest respect, your obedient servant, 

Edward Everett. 



Kamehameha III to the President. 

'Kamehameha III, native King of the Sandwich Islands, to his excel- 
lency John Tyler, the President of the United States of America : 

Great and Good Friend: In trouble and difficulty we present for 
consideration to the President the unfortunate situation in which we 
and our Government are placed. 

Demands upon us unsustained by the acknowledged laws of nations 
and unfounded in justice were for the first time presented by Lord 
George Paulet, captain of H. B. M. ship Carysfort, then lying in the 
harbor of Honolulu, with a threat of coercive measures in case of non- 
compliance within nineteen hours. Our proposals for discussion and 
negotiation through our principal adviser were declined with rudeness 
and we were compelled without a hearing to yield to demands which 
we believed to be arbitrary and unjust as regards ourselves, oppressive 
and illegal as regards foreign residents. 

We have been compelled to acknowledge an acting consul of Her 
British Majesty against whom there were positive objections, suscepti- 
ble of explicit proof, without the grounds of our refusal being heard or 
considered. The acknowledged consul of Her British Majesty had 
suddenly and secretly withdrawn from these islands without soliciting 
an interview or giving us any sort of notice of his intentions previous 
to his departure. After his departure we received notice that he had 
delegated his consular functions to Alexander Simpson, who was a 
known and declared enemy of our Government, who had openly in- 
sulted the chief magistrate of this island and other high officers of our 
appointment, who had publicly threatened to involve us in difficulties, 
and whose recognition as consular agent was protested against by 
two British subjects who represented the chief commercial interests of 
Great Britain in these islands. 



350 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Compliance has been compelled with demands violating the obliga* 
tions of contracts and contravening laws for the collection of debts 
which have been established for the general benefit in accordance with 
the statutes of civilized nations, by compelling ns to annul the decisions 
of juries after the cases had been dismissed, and to grant new trials 
contrary to law, and by compelling us to remove attachments levied 
by one British resident upon the property of another in due course of 
law and under the usual formalities. 

Precluded from negotiation and unable to repel by force, we yielded 
to these requisitions under protest of embracing the earliest oppor- 
tunity of representing them more fully to Her Britannic Majesty. 

Compliance having been thus procured to the foregoing demands, 
others were successively preferred by Her Britannic Majesty's acting 
consul (now acknowledged), more unjust, exorbitant, and arbitrary; 
claims for heavy indemnities where no damage was proven and only 
alleged on frivolous pretexts and demands for damages in a case still 
pending under the previous protest to Her Britannic Majesty. We 
were called upon to violate every principle of equity by setting aside 
the decision of juries in several cases without any just cause being 
pretended why new trials should be granted. These demands were 
enforced at private interviews between ourselves,his lordship, and 
Her Britannic Majesty's acting consul. The subject was only verbally 
canvassed, written negotiations were positively refused, and even 
written statements and proof and copies of the claims preferred were 
denied. The only alternatives offered us were immediate resolve to 
violate the laws by acts illegal and oppressive, immediate admission 
and payment of claims to indemnity so loosely supported, or immediate 
hostilities. Without force to resist hostilities, without resources to 
meet the payment of the heavy indemnities demanded, and firmly 
resolved to support law and justice, we adopted the only peaceful alter- 
native left, to throw ourselves upon the generosity of the British 
nation by a conditional cession of these islands to Her Britannic 
Majesty. To have awaited hostilities would have been to expose to 
destruction the property and jeopardize the lives of a large number of 
foreign residents who are American citizens; to have complied with 
the demands urged would have been to sanction oppressive and illegal 
acts affecting the rights and prospects of American citizens also and 
an open violation of the stipulations with the United States in 1826. 

Placed in difficulties from which we could not extricate ourselves with 
honor and justice, compelled to immediate decision, and threatened with 
immediate hostilities, we have, with the advice and consent of our 
chiefs, signed with a heavy heart and many tears the deed of provi- 
sional cession and have permitted the British flag to be planted in all 
our islands, but under the guns of a frigate and at the point of the 
bayonet. 

Belying on the magnanimity and firmness of the United States, we 
appeal to the President to interpose the high influence of the United 
States with the Court of England to grant us an impartial hearing and 
procure us justice, to induce Her Britannic Majesty to withdraw from 
the sovereignty of these islands and leave us as we have been, an inde- 
pendent Government supported in our right. 

We have labored to civilize and improve our islands, we have adopted 
the laws of the United States and of Britain, we have appointed up- 
right and capable American citizens and British subjects to offices of 
trust and responsibility, in order that their functions might be exer- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



351 



cised with energy and fidelity, we have adopted all suggestions which 
would tend to put the commercial intercourse of American citizens with 
us upon the best footing. We have been gratified with the large and 
increasing number of American residents. We confidently appeal to 
the Americans on these islands engaged in mercantile and commercial 
pursuits to testify to the honesty of our intentions and our capabilities 
for self-government, and we acknowledge them to have been the most 
consistent and efficient supporters of our Government. 

We look to the United States with peculiar feelings of respect and 
gratitude. To the benevolence and enterprise of that great people we 
owe the introduction of the Christian religion, of civilization and laws, 
of commerce and agriculture, and the large and respectable number of 
our foreign residents. 

We ask of you to secure and preserve the great interests common to 
us and yon, and arrest the course of events so prejudicial to both, and 
we shall never cease to be grateful for your aid. 

And we pray the Almighty God to have your excellency, our great 
and good friend, in His most holy keeping. 

Written at Honolulu, Island of Oahu, Hawaiian (Sandwich) Islands, 
this tenth day of March, anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and 
forty- three. 

By your good friend, 

[L. s,] Kamekameha. 
Kekaulurki, 

. Premier. 



Mr. Webster to Mr. Everett 

No. 34] Department of State, 

Washington, March 23, 1843. 

Edward Everett, Esq., etc: 

Sir : The course adopted by this Government in regard to the Sand- 
wich Islands has for its sole object the preservation of the independ- 
ence of those islands and the maintenance by their Government of an 
entire impartiality in their intercourse with foreign states. The United 
States desire to exercise no undue influence or control over the Gov- 
ernment of the islands, nor to obtain from it any grant of exclusive 
privileges whatever. This was solemnly declared in the President's 
message to Congress, and it is declared also in the instructions given 
to Mr. Brown, of which you will receive herewith a copy. 

The President would exceedingly regret that suspicion of a sinister 
purpose of any kind on the part of the United States should prevent 
England and France from adopting the same pacific, just, and conserva- 
tive course towards the Government and people of this remote, but inter- 
esting group of islands. 
I am, sir, etc., 

Danl. Webster. 



352 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



[Extract.] 

Mr. Everett to Mr. Webster. 

No. 34.] London, March 28, 1813. 

Daniel Webster, Esq., 

Secretary of State. 

Sm: 

*###### 
Lord Aberdeen told me the other day that he had signified to the 
French ambassador that England could not agree to any encroach- 
ment on the Sandwich Islands, and the Count de Ste. Aulaire replied 
that none was contemplated. Lord Aberdeen added that this Govern- 
ment would distinctly recognize the independence of these islands and 
presumed France would do the same. He hoped our missionaries 
would abstain from all attempt to exercise political influence. 

* ##*'*# # 

I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

Edward Everett. 



Mr. Everett to Mr. Legare. 

[Extract.] 

No. 40.] London, June 1, 1843. 

H. S. Legare, Esq., 

Secretary of State: 

Sir: 

# ###### 

The immediate object of my interview with Lord Aberdeen was to 
make inquiry relative to a report contained in the papers of the week, 
that the sovereignty of the Sandwich Islands had been ceded to the 
Queen of Great Britain, and possession taken by Lord George Paulet, 
of the ship of Avar Carysfort, the British officer commanding in those 
seas. This report will no doubt have attracted your notice; and fol- 
lowing so closely after the official recognition of the independence of 
these islands by the United States and Great Britian herself is well 
calculated to produce uneasiness and suprise, and in this light I spoke 
of it to Lord Aberdeen. 

He said they were entirely without information on the subject beyond 
what the newspapers contained and had no other reason to believe in 
the fact of the occupation. He could only sav, at present, that if any 
such thing had taken place it was entirely without authority or in- 
structions, as I could easily infer from- the recent official recognition of 
the independence of the islands by Great Britain, which was made 
known to me at the time. I observed to Lord Aberdeen that, of course, 
if the islands had been thus without authority taken possession of, the 
act would be immediately disavowed by Her Majesty's Government. He 
said it might not be proper for hiin, in the absence of all information, 
under an entire ignorance of what had been done, to pledge the Govern- 
ment to any course; but he was quite willing to say that the intelli- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



353 



gence had produced no change in the opinions and feelings which led 
him to advise the recognition, and that he still remained without the 
least wish for any addition to their colonial possessions. He told me 
they had several times declined to accept the sovereignty of different 
groups of islands in the Pacific which had heed offered to them. If the 
report was founded in truth, he thought the cession might have pro- 
ceeded from apprehensions on the part of the government of the Sand- 
wich Islands that the French were meditating also the occupation of 
that group and that aversion to the French might have led them, in 
the absence of Mr. Bichards, to wish to place themselves under British 
protection. I told Lord Aberdeen that I had understood from a priv- 
ate source of information that the Hawaiian Commissioners at Wash- 
ington had offered to place the islands under the protection of the 
United States; that I could not vouch for the truth of the report, but 
that if the offer were made it was certainly, as he was aware, declined. 

In reference to the reserve with which he had spoken of giving up 
the islands, if possession as repoited had been taken of them, Lord 
Aberdeen said this reserve was only in major em cautelam, in consider- 
ation of his total ignorance of the circumstances of the case, and not 
because his opinions and feelings as to the expediency of the measure 
were at all varied by the rumored fact of the occupation. On my re- 
marking that in one version of the newspaper report the cession was 
said to have been accepted by Lord George Paulet in full satisfaction 
for demands of compensation for injuries sustained by British subjects 
from the Government of the Sandwich Islands, he said he was not ac- 
quainted with any such demands and should be doubly unwilling to 
sanction a cession made on that basis. Upon the whole, when I reflect 
how distinctly and how recently this Government is pledged to the 
United States, to France, and to the Sandwich Islands themselves to 
recognize their independence I can not doubt that the act of the com- 
mander of the Carysfort will be readily disavowed. 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Edward Everett. 



Mr. Everett to Mr. Leg are. 

No. 41.] London, June 5, 1843. 

H. S. Legare, Esq., 

Secretary of State: 
Sir : At a late hour last evening I received a note from the Earl of 
Aberdeen requesting an interview at noon this day, at which he 
informed me that since he saw me last he had received a dispatch from 
Mr. Doyle, the British charge d' Affaires at Mexico, dated April 24, 
transmitting a printed and evidently authentic paper, in which the par- 
ticulars of the "provisional cession" of the Sandwich Islands to Great 
Britain are set forth. Lord Aberdeen allowed me to read Mr. Doyle's 
dispatch and the printed paper, and also read to me the dispatch 
which he had himself prepared to Mr. Fox on the subject, and the papers 
accompanying it. As these documents will be communicated to you, I 
do not know that- there is anything left for me to say, Lord Aber- 
deen's oral communication being but a repetition and amplification of 
the contents of his dispatch to Mr. Fox and his letter of last October 
H. Ex. 48 23 



354 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



to the commissioners of the Sandwich Islands. He said the account 
in the printed paper was a confused and not very intelligible affair, and 
his only reason for any reserve in expressing himself on the subject 
arose iroin the fact that Lord George Paulet was one of the most dis- 
creet and judicious officers of their navy, and could not, he thought, 
have acted without better grounds than might be inferred from the 
printed accounts. 

It will perhaps be in my power, by the next steamer, to give you fur- 
ther information on the subject. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Edward Everett. 



Mr. Legareto Mr. Everett. 

[Extract.] 

No. 46.] Department of State, 

Washington, June 13, 1843. 

Edward Everett, Esq., etc. : 
Sir: 

It is well known that our settled policy is the strictest noninterven- 
tion in what does not immediately concern us that we accept govern- 
ments rfe facto as governments ie jure, and that aboA^e all we have no 
wish to plant or to acquire colonies abroad. Yet there is something so 
entirely peculiar in the relations between this little commonwealth and 
ourselves that we might even feel justified, consistently with our own 
principles, in interfering by force to prevent its falling into the hands 
of one of the great powers of Europe. These relations spring out of the 
local situation, the history, and the character and institutions of the 
Hawaiian Islands, as well as out of the declarations formally made by 
this Government during the course of the last session of Congress, to 
which I beg leave to call your particular attention. 

If the attempts now making by ourselves, as well as by other Chris- 
tain powers to open the markets of China to a more general com- 
merce be successful, there can be no doubt but that a. great part of 
that commerce will find its way over the Isthmus. In that event it 
will be impossible to overrate the importance of the Hawaiian group 
as a stage in the long voyage between Asia and America. But with- 
out anticipating events which, however, seem inevitable, and even ap- 
proaching the actual demands of an immense navigation, make the 
free use of those roadsteads and ports indispensable to us. I need not 
remind you, who are in so peculiar manner related to that most impor- 
tant interest, commercial and political, that our great nursery of sea- 
men, the whale fishery, has for years past made this cluster of islands 
its rendezvous and resting place. It seems doubtful whether even the 
undisputed possession of the Oregon Territory and the use of the Co- 
lumbia Biver, or indeed anything short of the acquisition of California 
(if that were possible), would be sufficient indemnity to us for the loss 
of these harbors. 

Independently, however, of these paramount considerations, it is 
impossible that any enlightened American acquainted with what his 
c ountrymen have clone to make this people worthy of their mission, 
which ought to be hospitality to the flags of all nations navigating that 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



355 



ocean, can regard without lively sympathy their present unfortunate 
situation. All accounts seem to concur in representing- this tribe, es-* 
pecially its chiefs, as having been within the last twenty-five years 
raised from a brutally savage state to a condition which may be fairly 
called civilized. This is the work of Christianity, and it seems to me 
a touching instance of the beneficent influence of the common religion 
of all the Great Powers that it had thus prepared an asylum for them 
all amidst the dangers of that vast ocean and concentrated it by its 
own peaceful spirit to a perpetual neutrality. It was with this view 
that we heartily concurred, so far as our good offices went, in promot- 
ing the objects of the mission sent to us last winter, one of the results 
of which was the message of the President already referred to. 

You are, therefore, requested to use your best endeavors to prevent 
the consummation of any purpose of conquest that England may 
possibly have conceived. France is interested in cooperating with us 
to the same end. Unfortunately there are embarrassments in the way 
of her doing so, at least of her doing so with all the effect that would 
otherwise attend the intervention of so conspicuous a power in favor 
of so great an'interest of the whole Christian world. Still, her minis- 
ters may be moved to do something. You may, at least, if occasion 
serve, sound their ambassador in London. Russia has also a special 
interest in it, if she looks with any solicitude to her settlements on the 
northwest coast. Might you not enlist her Government in the same 
cause! 

On the whole, however, the better opinion seems to be that what 
Lord George Paulet has done will be disavowed. 

# # * # # # # 

I have the honor to be, with sincere respect, sir, your obedient hum- 
ble servant, 

H. S. Legare. 



Mr. Everett to Mr. Legare. 

[Extract.] 

No. 43.] London, June 14, 1843. 

Sir: 

###*#### 
June 19. — In the Times of the 15th there was an editorial article of 
considerable significance on the recent provisional cession of the Sand- 
wich Islands to the British Crown. It wore the appearance at the 
time of being semiofficial, and from its having remained for two or 
three days uncontradicted in any quarter I am inclined to think that 
it was at least founded on good information. Should this be the case 
it may be considered as certain that the Government here have made 
up their minds to disavow the cession, and to adhere to the recogni^ 
tion of the independence of the islands. 

# * * * # # # # 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Edward Everett. 

H. S. Legare, Esq., 

Secretary of State. 



350 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Fox to Mr. Upsihwr* 

Washington, June 25, 1843. 

Sie : Her Majesty's Government, previously to the departure from 
England to the List steam packet, had already received information, 
though not officially, of the provisional occupation of the Sandwich 
Islands, in the name of Great Britain, by the officer commanding Her 
Majesty's ship Vary* fort. 

I am directed by the Earl of Aberdeen to state to you, for the infor- 
mation of the Government of the United States, that the occupation 
of the Sandwich Islands was an act entirely unauthorized by Her Maj- 
esty's Government, and that with the least practicable delay due 
inquiry will be made into the proceedings which led to it. 

The British Government had already announced to certain commis- 
sioners, who arrived in Great Britain in March last on the part of 
the King of the Sandwich Islands, that Her Majesty had determined to 
recognize the independence of those islands under their present chief. 

To that determination Her Majesty's Government intend to adhere. 
At the same time, however, it is right that it should be understood that 
the British Government 'equally intend to engage, and, if necessary, 
to compel the chief of the Sandwich Islands to redress whatever acts 
of injustice may have been committed against British subjects by that 
chief or his ministers or agents, either arbitrarily or under the false 
color of lawful proceedings. 

Instructions which during the past year were addressed by Her 
Majesty's Government to the British consul residing in the Sandwich 
Islands and to the naval officers employed on the Pacific station, en- 
joined those officers to treat upon all occasions the native rulers of the 
Sandwich Islands with forbearance and courtesy; and, while affording 
due and efficient protection to aggrieved British subjects, to avoid in- 
terfering harshly or unnecessarily with the laws and customs ot the 
native Government. 

It has been the desire of the British Government, in regulating the 
intercourse of its public servants with the native authorities of the 
Sandwich Islands, rather to strengthen those authorities, and to give 
them a sense of their own independence by leaving the administration 
of justice in their own hands, than to make them feel their dependence 
upon foreign powers by the exercise of unnecessary interference. It 
lias not been the purpose of Her Majesty's Government to seek to es- 
tablish a paramount influence in those islands for Great Britain at the 
expense of that enjoyed by other powers. All that has appeared requi- 
site to Her Majesty's Government has been that other powers should 
not exercise there a greater influence than that possessed by Great 
Britain. 

I avail myself of this occasion to renew to you the assurance of my 
distinguished consideration. 

H. S. Fox. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



357 



Mr. Everett to Mr. Legare. 

[Extract.] 

No. 44.] N London. July 2, 1843. 

H. S. Legare, Esq., 

Secretary of State: 

Sir: 

• * # # # ,c> # * * 

With respect to the occupation of the Sandwich Islands, I have rea- 
son to think that the conduct of Lord George Panlet in coercing their 
■provisional cession to this Government has been formally disavowed. 
I am to see Lord Aberdeen this afternoon and hope to ascertain posi- 
tively whether this is the case. If I find that the cession is not and is 
not likely to be disavowed, I shall address a pointed remonstrance to this 
Government against the occupation and spare no pains to enlist in the 
same course the representatives of the other maritime powers, Mr. 
Marshall of Oharlestown (Massachusetts) arrived here yesterday, with 
authority from the King of the Sandwich Islands, as a joint commis- 
sioner with Mr. Bichards. He i* the bearer of dispatches from the 
Government of the islands to that of Great Britain. He has been pre- 
ceded by Mr. Simpson, the deputy consul left in the islands by the 
late British consul, Mr. Charlton. * * * Mr. Simpson came to 
London, a few days since, as bearer of Lord George Pauleys dispatches 
to the admiralty. 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Edward Everett. 



Mr. Upshur to Mr. Fox. 

Department of State, 

WasMngt07i, July 5, 1843. 

Henry S. Fox, Esq., etc.: 

Sir: I have received the letter which you did me the honor to 
address to me on the 25th ultimo, explanatory of the views of the 
British Government respecting the Sandwich Islands, and stating, by 
direction of Her Majesty's secretary of state for foreign affairs, for 
the information of this Government, that the recent occupation of 
those islands in the name of Great Britain by the officer commanding 
Her Majesty's ship Gary sf art was an act entirely unauthorized by Her 
Majesty's Government, and that with the least practicable delay due 
inquiry will be made into the proceedings which led to it. 

I have lost no time in submitting your letter to the consideration of 
the President of the United States, by whom I am directed to express 
to you the satisfaction which this prompt disavowal by Her Majesty's 
Government of the act in question has afforded him. 

The United States take a- deep interest in the condition of those 
islands — so important from their geographical position to American 
citizens engaged in the fisheries and other lawful pursuits in the North 
Pacific Ocean;, and hence the President awaited with lively concern 
tli e course which Her Majesty's Government should adopt with respect 



358 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



to the occurrences referred to. He entertained a confident expecta- 
tion, strengthened by his knowledge of the reception which had been 
given in England to the commissioners of the King of the Sandwich 
Islands, and of the fact that Her Majesty's Government had deter- 
mined to recognize the independence of those islands, that no undue 
advantage would be taken by Great Britain of their peculiar political 
condition, and he sees with a corresponding gratification that this ex- 
pectation is now realized. 

Seeking to establish no undue advantages in the Sandwich Islands 
for citizens of the United States at the expense of other powers, the 
President receives with much pleasure the assurance contained in Mr. 
Fox's note that none such are sought for Great Britain. He can not 
doubt that the recognition of the independence and sovereignty ot 
those islands will be found altogether compatible with every just claim 
of Great Britain, while it will best conduce to the interests of the 
islands themselves and of all nations having intercourse with them. 

I have the honor to renew to you, sir, on this occasion the assurance 
of my distinguished consideration and respect. 

A. P. Upshur. 



Mr. Everett to Mr. Upshur* 

[Extract.] 

Xo. 50.] London, August 15, 1843, 

A. P. Upshur, Esq,, 

Secretary of State: 

Sir: 

******* 

I then took occasion to advert to the affairs of the Sandwich Islands. 
The commissioners of the King of those Islands are here, Messrs. 
Haalileo, Eichards, and Marshall, and have presented a written state- 
ment of considerable length (as they inform me) to Lord Aberdeen, 
containing the requisite explanations of the matters alleged against 
them by way of complaint by the late British consul and others. 
Lord Aberdeen told me there was a good deal worthy of consideration 
in their statements, and that he did not apprehend much difficulty in 
coining to a satisfactory settlement. 

With respect to the acknowledgment of the independence of the 
islands, the following seems to be the precise state of the case: The 
English Government, following our example, acquainted Messrs. 
Haalileo and Eichards in April last that they were prepared to ac- 
knowledge their independence. Meantime Lord George Paulet, acting 
without instructions, bad taken provisional possession of the islands 
by a treaty extorted from weakness of the native Government. Great 
Britain feels herself pledged to adhere to the recognition of their inde- 
pendence and has invited France to follow her example. France has 
agreed to do so as soon as Great Britain withdraws her occupation. 

Great Britain, before giving up the occupation, means to do two 
things; one, to obtain satisfaction to the matters of complaint above 
alluded to, which I am inclined to think will not be attended with diffi- 
culty; the other, to come to some arrangement with France which will 
prevent that power, at some subsequent period, from taking possession 
of those islands, as they have lately done of the Marquesas, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS 



351) 



In fact, tLe series of events which, however menancing for the mo- 
ment, bids fair to result in the establishment of the independence of 
the islands on a tirm basis, is one of the most fortunate, on the whole, 
which could be imagined, and I can not but regard the recognition 
of the United States as having determined the character of all the 
succeeding occurrences. As soon as 1 received, last winter, the instruc- 
tions of the Department on the subject, I lost no opportunity of bring- 
ing it to the consideration of Lord Aberdeen, and the occupation of 
the Marquesas by the French no doubt united with our recognition in 
hastening the decision of this Government. There is now reason to 
think that the occupation of the islands by Lord George Paulet was a 
fortunate event, inasmuch as it prevented them from being taken pos- 
session of by a French squadron, which (it is said) was on its way for 
that purpose. Had France got possession of the islands she would 
certainly have retained them. Had intelligence been received here of 
Lord George Paulet's occupation of them before her promise was given 
to recognize them, England, I think, would not have given them up. 
As it is, an understanding between the great European powers, amount- 
ing in effect, if not in form, to a guaranty of their independence, is 
likely to take place. This is the only state of things with which the 
United States could be content. As it will be brought about, without 
involving us in any compacts with other powers, and as I have already 
said, mainly, as it seems to me, under the impulse of our example, it 
will, I think, be regarded by the President as an eminently Batisfac- 
tory result. 

# * # # * # * 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Edward Everett. 



Mr. Everett to Mr. Upshur, 

[Extract.] 

No. 56.] London, September 28, 1843. 

A. P. Upshur, Esq., , v 

Secretary of State: 

Sir: 

#- # * * # # # 

I had a coversation last evening of a satisfactory character with Mr, 
Eichards, the commissioner of the Government of the Sandwich 
Islands. He has nearly brought his business with this Government to 
a close, and in a manner with which he appears to be content. You 
are aware that various claims on the Government of the Sandwich 
Islands on the part of the British subjects, and principally Mr. Charl- 
ton, the late consul, had long been pending, and that it was professedly 
to enforce satisfaction for these claims that possession was taken of the 
islands by Lord George Paulet. I fear that most of the claims were 
such as are too apt to be set up by the strong against the weak. The 
Government at home (as I intimated in a former dispatch the opinion 
they would do), though disclaiming the act of Lord George Paulet as 
without instructions, determined to retain possession of the islands 
till satisfaction was given in reference to the claims, and some kind of 
an assurance procured from France that she would respect the inde- 
pendence of the islands. 



300 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



A question arose how the claims were to be adjudicated. I advised 
Mr. Richards to offer to submit them to the decision of Lord Aberdeen 
himself. I thought this course would preclude delay, which there 
was some reason to fear might be desired here, and which would be 
very dangerous in the extremely anomalous condition of things. I 
doubted if the claims could be got before any tribunal independent of 
the influence of this Government: audi felt confident, that more could 
be obtained from the liberality of Lord Aberdeen when thus appealed 
to than if the British Government were made to assume the position 
of an opposing party. Mr. Richards fully concurred in this view, and 
the result, on the whole, seems to have justified it. On five out of seven 
points the decision is wholly in favor of the Government of the 
islands; on the sixth substantially so; on the seventh much is left 
dependent on the discernment and good faith of Gen. Miller, the new 
consul-general: but Mr. Eiehards considers this point to be also settled 
in their favor, and he has promptly accepted the whole decision. He 
informs me that he has been uniformly treated at the foreign office with 
courtesy and respect. 

He has conferred freely with Mr. Addington, the under secretary 
of state, on the delicate point of restoring possession of the islands to 
the native Government, and has been promised that it shall be done 
as soon as a satisfactory assurance is given by France; and he thinks — 
justly, in my opinion — that it is for the interest of the islands that 
Great Britain should retain her possession till this assurance is given. 
There is no fear that it will be long withheld. 

I have the honor to be, with great respect, 
Your obedient servant, 

Edward Everett. 



Mr. Everett to Mr. Xelson. 

No. 114.] ■ London, April 24, 1844. 

John Xelson, Esq., 

Secretary of State ad interim : 

Sir : In the course of the past year I had frequent occasion to make 
mention of the affairs of the Sandwich Islands and of the agency of 
Messrs. Eiehards and Haalilio, who had been sent to the United States 
and Europe as the representatives of the native Government'. I have 
now the satisfaction to communicate authentic information of the con- 
clusion of a convention between the governments of Great Britain and 
France, by which the independence of the Sandwich Islands is recog- 
nized, and the two powers stipulate that they will not take possession 
of them, either directly or under the name of a protectorate. Messrs. 
Eiehards and Haalilio have promised to give me a copy of this conven- 
tion, which I hope they will do in season to be transmitted with this 
dispatch, but as it has not been published by either Government, and 
is of course communicated unofficially to me, I would suggest the pro- 
priety of receiving it for the present in confidence. 

In their negotiations witlj this Government relative to the demands 
and complaints of British subjects against the native Government which 
led to the provisional occupation of the islands by Lord George Paulet, 
and with the French Government in reference to the modification of 
the treaty imposed by France on the islauders, of which treaty France 
exacts the benefits for herself while she refuses to grant them to the 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



361 



other party, Messrs. Richards and Haalilio have been partially success- 
ful. But 1 fear thai; in both cases the measure of justice done by these 
powerful governments to this defenseless and feeble State is such and 
such only, as the strong are too apt to render to the weak. 

The step taken by the French Government in disavowing the act of 
Admiral Dupetit-Thonars, who had without instructions converted the 
protectorate established at Taiti into an assertion of absolute sover- 
eignty, continues to be vehemently assailed by the opposition in France. 
A large mass of papers on this subject was laid upon the table of the 
Chamber of Deputies a few days since by Mr. Guizot, and will be found 
ki the Journal des Debats of the 20th instant. I do not find that they 
place the conduct of the French admiral in a new light. 
1 am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Edward Everett. 



Declaration. 

Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and 
Ireland, and His Majesty the King of the French, taking into consid- 
eration the existence in the Sandwich Islands of a government capable 
of providing for the regularity of its relations with foreign nations have 
thought it right to engage reciprocally to consider the Sandwich Islands 
as an independent State and never to take possession, either directly or 
under the title of protectorate, or under any other form, of any part 
of the territory of which they are composed. 

The undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's principal secretary of state 
for foreign affairs, and the ambassador extraordinary of His Majesty 
the King of the French, at the court of London, being furnished with 
the necessary powers, hereby declare in consequence that their said 
majesties take reciprocally that engagement. 

In witness whereof the undersigned have signed the present declara- 
tion, and have affixed thereto the seals of their arms. 

Done in duplicate at London, the 28th day of November, in the year 
Of our Lord 1843. 



Aberdeen. 
St. Aulaire. 



l. s. 
l. s/ 



[Senate Ex. Doc. ~No. 45. Fifty-second Congress, second session.] 

Message from the President of the United States, in response to Senate 
resolution of February 4, 1893, relative to the draft of an uncompleted 
treaty with -Hawaii. 

February 6, 1893. — Read, referred to tlie Committee on Foreign Relations, and or- 
dered to be printed. 

To the Senate: 

I transmit herewith, as desired by the resolution of the Senate of the 
4th instant, a report from the Secretary of State of the 6th instant, with 
its accompanying correspondence, in relation to the draft of an uncom- 
pleted treaty wth Hawaii, made in 1854. 

Benj. Harrison. 

Executive Mansion, 

Washington, February 6, 1893. 



362 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



The President : 

The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the 
Senate of the 4th instant requesting the President, "if in his opinion it 
is not inconsistent with the public interests, to send to the Senate the 
draft of a treaty, negotiated in 1854, but not completed, between the 
plenipotentiaries of the United States and the Kingdom of Hawaii, 
with the correspondence between the two Governments relating to said 
negotiation," has the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the draft in 
question, together with copies of the correspondence referred to. 

Respectfully submitted. 

John W. Foster. 

Department of State, 

Washington, February 6, 1893. 



List of accompanying papers. 

1. Mr. Marcy to Mr. Gregg, April 4, 1854, No. 6. 

2. Mr. Gregg to Mr. Marcy, July 26, 1854, No. 48. 

3. Mr. Gregg to Mr. Marcy, August 7, 1854, No. 51. 

4. Mr. Gregg to Mr. Marcy, September 15, 1854, No. 52. 

(Copy of tlie treaty draft accornpauies Mr. Gregg's dispatch No. 52, of September 
15, 1854, included here.) 

5. Mr. Gregg to Mr. Marcy, October 2, 1854, No. 54. 

6. Mr. Gregg to Mr. MarcV, December 19, 1854, No. 61. 

7. Mr. Gregg to Mr. Marcy, December 29, 1854, No. 64. 

8. Mr. Marcy to Mr. Gregg, January 31, 1855, No. 12. 



Mr. Marcy to Mr. Gregg. 

No. 6.] Department of State, 

Washington, April 4, 1854. 
Sir: In your general instructions you were furnished with the views 
of this Government in regard to any change in the political affairs of the 
Sandwich Islands. The President was aware, when those instructions 
were prepared, that the question of transferring the sovereignty of those 
islands to the United States had been raised, and favorably received by 
many influential individuals residing therein. It was foreseen that at 
some period, not far distant, such a, change would take place, and that 
the Hawaiian Islands would come under the protectorate of or be trans- 
ferred to some foreign power. You were informed that it was not the 
policy of the United States to accelerate such a change; but if, in the 
course of events, it became unavoidable, this Government would much 
prefer to acquire the sovereignty of these islands for the United States, 
rather than to see it transferred to any other power. If any foreign con- 
nection is to be formed, the geographical x)osition of these islands indi- 
cates that it should be with us. Our commerce witli them far exceeds 
that of all other countries; our citizens are embarked in the most 
important business concerns of that country, and some of them hold 
important public positions. In view of the large American interests 
there established and the intimate commercial relations existing at this 
time it might well be regarded as the duty of this Government to pre- 
vent these islands from becoming the appendage of any other foreign 
power. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



363 



It appears by your dispatches lately received at this Department 
that the ruling authorities of the Hawaiian Government have become 
convinced of their inability to sustain themselves any longer as an in- 
dependent State, and are prepared to throw themselves upon our pro- 
tection or to seek incorporation into our political system. Fears are 
entertained by those who favor such a measure that if the United 
States should manifest a disinclination to receive the proffered sover- 
eignty of this country, the people would seek elsewhere a less desira- 
ble connection or be given over to anarchy. 

The information contained in your last dispatch, Xo. 10, dated the 
7th of February, renders it highly probable that the ruling powers of 
that Government will have presented to you, as our diplomatic agent, 
an offer of the sovereignty of their country to the United States. The 
President has deemed it proper that you should be furnished with in- 
structions for the guidance of your conduct in such an emergency. 
With this dispatch you will be furnished with a full power to treat with 
the present authorities of the Hawaiian Government for the transfer 
of the Sandwich Islands to the United States. This can only be done 
by a convention or treaty, which will not be valid until it is ratified by 
the Senate of the United States. 

No intimation has ever been given to this Government as to the 
terms or conditions which will be likely to be annexed to the tender of 
the sovereignty. It is presumed, however, that something more than 
a mere protectorate is contemplated. A protectorate tendered to and 
accepted by the United States would not change the sovereignty of the 
country. In that case this Government would take upon itself heavy 
and responsible duties for which it could hardly expect compensating 
advantages. 

I understand that the measure proposed by the people, and that in 
which the present rulers are disposed to concur, is "annexation" as 
distinguished from protection; and that it is their intention that these 
islands shall become a part of our Territories and be under the control 
of this Government as fully as any other of its territorial possessions. 
In any convention you may make it is expected that the rights to be 
acquired by the United States should be clearly defined. 

Should the sovereignty of these islands be transferred to the United 
States, the present Government would, as a matter of course, be super- 
seded, or, at least, be subjected to the Federal authority of this country. 

It is reasonable to anticipate that the present rulers and chiefs would 
expect that some provision would be made as compensation to them 
for the surrender of their political position. This provision could not 
be, as I conceive, any other than a pecuniary allowance. In this re- 
spect the United States would manifest toward them a liberal spirit. 
Annuities to the amount of $100,000 to be distributed in such manner 
as they would prefer might be secured to them in the treaty. 

In the convention you may make you are authorized to provide in 
the amplest manner for the security of individual property as held at 
the time of the transfer of the sovereignty, but the reservation of po- 
litical rights or privileges in behalf of individuals would be inconsis- 
tent with the political power which it is proposed to vest in the United 
States. 

If you should succeed in making a treaty transferring the islands to 
the United States, it is advisable that it should receive the ratification 
of the Hawaiian Government before it is sent here for the consideration 
of the President and the Senate. Ton are directed to induce that Gov- 
ernment to send on one or more persons at the same time the treaty is 



304 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



forwarded, clothed with full powers to assent to any modifications of it 
which may here be made. In view of the great uncertainty as to the 
terms by which the cession of the sovereignty of the islands may be 
encumbered the carrying out of this suggestion is deemed to.be of 
great importance. 

I have good reason to believe that some of the leading powers of 
Europe would be very unwilling to see the Sandwich Islands become a 
part of the United States, and, if an opportunity occurred, would en- 
deavor to defeat any negotiation for that purpose. This consideration 
and others, make it important that you should bring it to a close as 
expeditiously as possible. The treaty should be herein time to be sub- 
mitted to the Senate at its present session. 
I aw, etc., 

W. L. Marcy. 



Mr, Gregg to Mr. Marcy. 

]N"o. 48.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, July 26, 1854. 

Sir: The Hawaiian cabinet has determined at length that it will 
not do to allow much longer delay in bringing to a close arrangements 
for annexation. On the 17th a meeting was held, at which Prince Alex- 
ander was present, when it was agreed that the minister of foreign 
relations should immediately proceed, if possible, to arrange and sign 
a treaty to be submitted to the King for ratification. Mr. Wyllie called 
on me the next day, and we have since had several conferences, but 
without as yet arriving at any definite result. The difficulty, I appre- 
hend, is that more will be demanded, in the way of consideration, etc., 
than ought to be yielded. It is probable that by the next mail it will 
be in my power to communicate something more definite than I am 
now able to do. I have the assurance of Mr. Wyllie that, so far as he 
is concerned, there shall be no occasion to complain of further procras- 
tination, and I can not doubt that he is in earnest. Prince Alexander 
is responsible for all past delay, and he will not hesitate to incur the 
responsibility of still more, unless his mind is brought to the conviction 
which everyone else entertains, that it is impossible for him ever to 
wear a crown. He evidently sees that the existing Government is in 
danger, and wishes to be in a condition to escape it when the crisis 
comes, but hopes strongly that it may be averted. If a treaty is once 
signed he will not oppose its ratification directly and openly, but strive 
to postpone it to the last moment compatible with safety. 

I am convinced that a revolution will soon take place if a treaty of 
annexation is not concluded. The foreign residents, especialty Ameri- 
cans, are becoming impatient under the present state of things, and 
will not be disposed to endure much longer the feebleness and ineffi- 
ciency of the Government. They have power enough in their hands, if 
they act in concert, to do anything they wish, and in a single week 
could subvert the throne and establish a republic upon its ruins. 

A combined British and French squadron of seven vessels — three 
English and four French — arrived here on the 17th from Callao, having 
made the passage from Xukuhiva in fourteen days. Its appearance 
created quite an excitement among all classes of people. On Saturday 
the English frigate Pique joined the fleet, making eight vessels in all, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



365 



as follows: The frigates President and Pique, the sloop Ampliitrite, and 
the steamer Virago (British), under the command of Rear- Admiral 
David Price; the frigates La Forte and IPJEJuridice, the corvette I? Arte- 
mise, and the brig IJObligado (French), commanded by Bear- Admiral 
Febvrier des Pointes. On Tuesday they all sailed in a northwesterly 
direction. I could not learn satisfactorily who was the commanding 
officer of the entire squadron, as the English and French accounts 
differed materially on that point, though I presume it can not be doubted 
that Admiral Price is the official senior of Admiral des Pointes. It is 
evident that no great harmony of feeling exists between the different 
portions of the fleet, and I learn from pretty good authority that a sep- 
aration will soon be deemed expedient. 

On Friday the two admirals and their officers had an audience at 
the palace which was marked by a circumstance that ought to be men- 
tioned. After the usual courtesies, addresses, etc., were over, the 
French admiral, on the suggestion of Mons. Perrin. said to the King, 
through an interpreter, that he hoped there was no thought of alienat- 
ing the sovereignty of the Kingdom, as such a thing would lead to 
difficulty and perhaps war with England and France, which it would be 
for the interest of His Majesty to avoid. The King made no reply 
whatever. • 

* # # # # v#'_= # 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

David L. Gee go. 



Mr. Gregg to Mr. Marcy. 

^o. 51.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, August 7, 1854. 
Sir : I am only able to write briefly by the mail which goes this 
afternoon, being much debilitated by an attack of sickness from which 
I am just convalescent. 

i%jz : * ' * # * # # # 

The Government here rests on a volcano. Its subversion is within 
the power of the foreign residents, and I am prepared to witness an 
outbreak at any moment. The dissatisfaction with the present state 
of things is daily increasing, and a crisis of some sort is inevitable. 

On Tuesday evening last there was an intense alarm among the na- 
tive population on account of the supposed presence of "filibusters." 
The troops were called out and remained under arms all night. The 
apprehension seems to have been excited by the discovery of a box of 
pistols among some goods landed at the custom-house. 

I have succeeded in arranging the terms of a treaty of annexation 
with the minister of foreign relations, which meets the approval of the 
Crown Prince and cabinet. But it is not yet signed, and I am unable 
to give you any assurance that it will be immediately completed. The 
pretense of delay is the supposed necessity of consulting the King, 
which for sometime has been impossible on account of His Majesty's 
illness. 

The. great difficulty I had to encounter was the inveterate prejudice 
of the Hawaiian authorities against a territorial form of government, 
which could not be overcome. Finding it impossible to provide other- 
wise, I finally consented to agree to the admission of the islands as a 



366 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



State, as soon as it could be done in conformity with the principles and 
requirements of the Federal Constitution, leaving the existing laws, so 
far as they are republican and consistent with such Constitution, in 
full force and effect in the meantime. 

There was also much controversy as to the extent of consideration. 
The Government absolutely refused to listen to anything short of an- 
nuities to the extent of $300,000, and I finally listened to the sine qua 
non which they presented, with the understanding that it was solely 
ad referendum. 

I had intended to send you a copy of the treaty as agreed on, for in- 
formation, but I have been altogether unequal to the task of making 
it in time for the present mail. 

I have' notified the minister of foreign relations that there must be 
a speedy diplomatic al conclusion of our negotiations, and expressed the 
view that any further delay will be inconsistent with the position of 
the Government of the United States in the transaction. He assents 
to the propriety of my representations, and promises to spare no efforts 
to bring about the signature of the treaty. 

I may therefore express the hope that a final result will soon be at- 
tained. But I fear the occurrence of a state of things which will place 
me in some embarrassment. There is reason to believe that upon the 
ratification of the treaty there will be a desire and a necessity of an im- 
mediate transfer of the sovereignty of the islands to the United States 
in order to guard, against pressing danger. If such a crisis occurs I 
shall deem myself justified in accepting a provisional transfer, subject 
to the provisions of the treaty, or such arrangements as may be finally 
made by the two parties. This, I have no doubt, would be decisive as 
to the influences hereafter to prevail in the archipelago, whatever 
might be the view of our Government as to the cession. A flood of 
emigration would pour in from California the moment our flag was 
raised, sufficient to put a check upon all future British and French pre- 
tensions. 

Yesterday I had an audience at the palace for the officers of the St. 
Mary. The King Avas unable to be present, owing to his illness, but he 
was represented by the Kuhina Nui, who always stands in his place 
when he can not perforin his functions. 

The British consul-general has demanded a personal audience of the 
King, to communicate to him certain views of his Government, which 
will "take place as soon as His Majesty is recovered. 
I have, etc., 

David L. Gregk*. 



Mr. Gregg to Mr. Marey. 

No. 52] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, September 15, 1854. 

The negotiations for annexation are in the same condition as when 
my dispatch. (No. 51) of the 7th instant was written. On Saturday 
last the cabinet had an audience of the King and laid before him a 
copy of the treaty in the Hawaiian language, and through Mr. Arm- 
strong, as interpreter, explained it in all its particulars. He expressed 
himself satisfied, as I am advised, but stated that he wished to consult 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



367 



particularly with a few of his chiefs before final action was taken. Un- 
fortunately he has since been in such a state of infirmity as to be able 
to consult with no one, and it is difficult to predict when his present fit 
of illness will terminate. 

I have insisted upon the immediate signature of the treaty, aud Mr. 
Wyllie admits that, according to diplomatic usage, there should be no 
further delay. In my last dispatch I stated that I had notified him 
that the negotiations must be at once concluded. I have since ad- 
dressed him a letter to the same effect, setting forth strongly the reasons 
which induced me to take this course. A copy of it is herewith in- 
closed for your information. Its representations I considered would 
have an important bearing in bringing matters to an issue, and I still 
think this will be the effect. I hope I did not go further than the 
President will be willing to approve. The peculiar circumstances 
which exist seemed to demand a strong expression on my part, with 
all the incidental references and suggestions which are employed. I 
acted with regard to what I supposed to be the peculiar exigencies of 
the times, and it has been intimated to me that my course will probably 
contribute to hasten matters to a conclusion. 

I forward also a copy of the treaty, the terms of which were finally 
settled between Mr. Wjdlie and myself on the 19th ultimo. I have 
already informed you of the utter impossibility of such provisions as I 
desired in the second and eighth articles. As they stand they will be 
regarded B,&ad referendum so far as the United States are concerned. 
This, of course, was the only ground upon which I could place my 
assent to them, especially the last. Erom the protocols, which are not 
yet all in a condition to be copied for transmission, the true character 
of the negotiation and its embarrassing circumstances will more fully 
appear. I shall probably be able to send them by the next mail. 

The provisions of the separate article were made a matter of positive 
demand by the Hawaiian cabinet. I refused to incorporate them into 
the body of the treaty, because they contemplate an object which, if 
effected at all. must be brought about before any final ratification can 
take place. The ratification of the treaty by this Government would 
undoubtedly quell any disturbances that might arise from American 
sources, but a conditional cession, as contemplated by such article, 
would forever practically settle all questions as to future influence and 
jurisdiction. The moment our flag was raised a flood of immigration 
from California would pour in, sufficient, at least, to make the islands 
thoroughly American and to secure an equitable and fair arrangement 
if the terms of the present treaty are deemed unsatisfactory. 

The return of Judge Uee from the island of Maui is expected in a 
few days. It was through his persuasions that the King made advances 
for annexation, and his influence with the chiefs and native population 
generally is greater than that of any man on the islands. I learn that 
he objects to the second article of the treaty on the ground that he 
does not think it provides explicitly enough for a State government. 
In this respect I have gone to the utmost limit of what, in my judg- 
ment, the Constitution allows, and if his advice leads this Government 
to exact impracticable conditions I shall, of course, be fully prepared 
to reject them. 

The British consul-general has advised this Government that he will 
not, for the present, seek the audience which he formerly demanded, as 
I advised you in my last dispatch. 

The effect of the publications in the New York Daily Tribune of July 
20 has been unfortunate here in giving to the British consul-general 



368 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



weapons to fight against the United States. I regret very much that 
any opportunity should have occurred at this juncture to confirm, in 
the minds of the Hawaiians, the false impressions which are constantly 
sought to be created in regard to our purposes and policy. If the pres- 
ent negotiations fall through 1 shall attribute it almost entirely to the 
effect of such publications as that of the Tribune and other papers of 
like character. 

I have ? etc., 

Dayid L. Gregg-. 



Treaty of annexation concluded "between Sis Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands 
and the United States of America. 

His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, being convinced that plans have 
been, and still are, on foot hostile to his sovereignty and to the peace of his King- 
dom, which His Majesty is without power to resist, and against which it is his im- 
perative duty to provide, in order to prevent the evils of anarchy and to secure the 
rights and prosperity of his subjects, and having in conscientious regard thereto, as 
well as to the general interests of his Kingdom, present and future, sought to incor- 
porate his Kingdom into the Union of the United States, as the means best calcu- 
lated to attain these ends and perpetuate the blessings of freedom and equal rights 
to himself, his chiefs, and his people ; and the Government of the United States, 
being actuated solely by the desire to add to their security and prosperity and to 
meet the wishes of His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, and of his Gov- 
ernment, have determined to accomplish by treaty objects so important to their mu- 
tual and permanent welfare. 

For that purpose His Majesty Kamehameha III, King of the Hawaiian Islands has 
granted full powers and instructions to Eobert Crichton Wyllie, esquire, his min- 
ister of foreign relations, his secretary at war and of the navy, member of his privy 
council of state, member of the house of nobles, and chairman of the commissioners 
of his privy purse ; and the President of the United States has invested with like 
powers David Lawrence Gregg, esquire, commissioner of said States to the said 
Kingdom; and the said plenipotentiaries, after exchanging their full powers, have 
agreed to and concluded the following articles : 

Article I. 

His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, acting in conformity with the 
power vested in him by the constitution of his Kingdom, and with the wishes of 
his chiefs and people, and of the heads of every department of his Government, 
cedes to the United States his Kingdom, with all its territories, to be held by them 
in full sovereignty, subject only to the same constitutional provisions as the other 
States of the American Union. This cession includes all public lots and squares, 
Government lands, mines and minerals, salt lakes and springs, fish ponds, public 
edifices, fortifications, barracks, forts, ports and. harbors, reefs, docks, and maga- 
zines, arms, armaments and accouterments. public archives, and funds, claims, 
debts, taxes and dues existing, available, and unpaid at the date of the exchange of 
the ratifications of this treaty. 

Article II. 

The Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands shall be incorporated into the American 
Union as a State, enjoying the same degree of sovereignty as other States, and ad- 
mitted as such as soon as it can be done in consistency with the principles and re- 
quirements of the Federal Constitution, to all the rights, privileges, and immunities 
of a State as aforesaid, on a perfect equality with the other States of the Union. 

Article III. 

His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, his chiefs and subjects of every 
class, shall continue in the enjoyment of all their existing personal and private 
rights — civil, political, and religious — to the utmost extent that is possible under 
the Federal Constitution, and shall possess and forever enjoy all the rights and 
privileges of citizens of the United States, on terms of perfect equality, in all re- 
spects, with other American citizens. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Article IV. 

The decisions of the board of land commissioners made .and not appealed from, 
at the date of the final ratification of this treaty, shall be and remain forever valid 
and undisturbed, and all titles to real estate which are now, or shall have then been 
declared valid under the laws of the Hawaiian Kingdom, shall be held to be equally 
valid by the United States, and measures shall be adopted by the United States for 
the speedy and final adjudication of all unsettled claims to land in conformity with 
the laws and usages under which they may have originated. 

Article V. 

All engagements of whatever kind, affecting the rights of corporations or indi - 
viduals, validly contracted, and lawfully incumbent upon the King's Government 
or the Hawaiian nation to pay and discharge, shall be respected and fulfilled in as 
prompt, full, and complete a manner as they would have been respected and fulfilled 
had no change of sovereignty taken place. 

Article VI. 

The public lands hereby ceded shall be subject to the laws regulating the public 
lands in other parts of the United States, liable, however, to such alterations and 
changes as Congress may from time to time enact. The grants of land for the pro- 
motion of education heretofore made by the Government of the King of the Hawaiian 
Islands shall be confirmed by the United States, which in addition thereto, shall 
grant and set apart for the purposes of common schools, seminaries of learning, and 
universities so much of the public lands and of the proceeds thereof as may be equal 
proportionally to the grants for such purposes in any of the States of the Union. 

Article VII. 

The laws of the Hawaiian Kingdom, so far as they are compatible with republican 
institutions and conformable to the Constitution of the United States, shall be and 
remain in full force and effect until modified, changed, or repealed by the legislative 
authority of the State contemplated by this treaty. 

Article VIII. 

In consideration of the cession made by this treaty, and in compensation to all 
who may suffer or incur loss consequent thereon, the United States shall pay the 
aggregate sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) as annuities to the King, 
the Queen, the crown prince, those standing next in succession to the throne, the 
chiefs, and all other persons whom the King may wish to compensate or reward, to 
be apportioned as may be determined by His Majesty the King, and his privy council 
of state, which amounts to be apportioned as aforesaid, shall be paid ratably with- 
out deduction or offset on any ground or in any shape whatever, to the parties sever- 
ally named in such apportionment, at Honolulu, on the first day of July of each suc- 
cessive year so long as they may live. It is, however, expressly agreed upon that 
on the demise of His present Majesty the annuity of the immediate heir to the 
throne shall then be increased to the same amount before allowed and paid to the 
King himself. 

As a further consideration for the cession herein made, and in order to place within 
the reach of the inhabitants of t he Hawaiian Islands the means of education, present 
and future, so as to enable them the more perfectly to enjoy and discharge the rights 
and duties consequent upon a change from monarchical to republican institutions, 
the United States agree to set apart and pay over for the term of ten years the sum 
of seventy-five thousand dollars per annum, one-third of which shall be applied to 
constitute the principal of a fund for the benefit of a college or university, or colleges 
or universities, as the case may be, and the balance for the support of common schools, 
to be invested, secured, or applied as may be determined by the legislative authority 
of the Hawaiian Islands, when admitted as a State into the Union, as aforesaid. 

Article IX. 

Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty the President of 
the United States shall appoint a commissioner, who shall receive indue form, in the 
name of the United States, the transfer of the sovereignty and territories of the 
Hawaiian Islands: also all public property, archives, and other things hereinbefore 
stipulated to be conveyed, and who shall exercise all executive authority in said 
islands necessary to the preservation of peace and order, and to the x>roper execution 

it. Ex. 48 24 



370 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



of the La tvs, until the State contemplated in this treaty can be duly organized and 
admitted as such State; and until the arrival of such commissioner, all departments 
of His Majesty's Government shall continue as novr constituted. 

Article X. 

This treaty shall be ratified by the respective high contracting parties, and the 
ratifications exchanged at the city of Honolulu within eight months from the date 
hereof, or sooner, if possible, but it is agreed that this period may be extended by 
mutual consent of the two parties. 

In witness whereof, we, the undersigned, plenipotentiaries of His Majesty the 
King of the Hawaiian Islands and of the United States of America, have signed 
three originals of this treaty of annexation in Hawaiian and three in English, and 
have thereunto affixed our respective official seals. 

Done at Honolulu this day of , in the year of our Lord one thousand 

eight hundred and fifty-four. 

SEPAEATE AND SECRET ARTICLE. 

Whereas it is desirable to guard against the exigencies declared in the preamble 
to the foregoing treaty, and to secure the King of the Hawaiian Islands, his chiefs 
and all who reside under his jurisdiction from the dangers therein referred to and 
expressed, it is hereby provided and expressly agreed that at any time before the 
final exchange of the ratifications of said treaty, if the same shall be duly ratified on 
the part of His Majesty the King and satisfactory notice thereof given to the com- 
missioner of the United States, it shall be competent for His Majesty, by proclama- 
tion, to declare his islands annexed to the American Union, subject to the provi- 
sions of such treaty as negotiated; and the commissioner of the United States, for 
the time being, shall receive and accept the transfer of the jurisdiction of the said 
islands, in the name of the United States, and protect and defend them by the armed 
forces of the United States, as a part of the American Union, holding the same for 
and in behalf of his Government and exercising the jurisdiction provided for in 
said treaty, with the understanding, however, that in case the said treaty is not 
finally ratified, or other arrangement made by the free consent and to the mutual 
satisfaction of the contracting parties, the sovereignty of the islands shall imme- 
diately revert, without prejudice, to His Majesty, or his immediate heir, in the 
same conditions as before the transfer thereof; and it is further understood and 
agreed that this article shall be as binding for all the ends and purposes herein ex- 
pressed as if it formed a part of the foregoing treaty. 



2Ir. Gregg to Mr. Mqrcy. 

No. 54.] Legation op the United States, 

Honolulu, October 2, 1854. 

Sir : In nay "dispatch of tlie 7th ultimo (No. 41) I mentioned that the 
British consul-general had demanded an audience of the King for the 
purpose of communicating to him certain views of his Government. 
It was first appointed for the 6th ultimo, the same day as that fixed for 
the audience to the officers of the St. Mary, but the King being unable 
on account of illness to attend it was then postponed. Subsequently, 
however, although Gen. Miller at first declined, an arrangement was 
made to receive him on the 18th, when he made an extemporaneous 
speech of an hour and a quarter against annexation to the United 
States and in dispraise of our country, her Government, and people. 

The substance of his remarks has been stated to me' by those who 
heard them. He deprecated annexation to the United States and rep- 
resented it to be one of the worst evils which could befall the Hawaiian, 
race, denouncing our institutions as corrupting in their tendency and 
wholly unequal to protect in security the enjoyment of life and prop- 
erty. As an illustration, he referred to California and described nu- 
merous disorders, which he alleged had prevailed there, in the strongest 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



371 



terms, predicting that the introduction of American rule in these 
islands would be the signal for the commencement of a similar state of 
things, in which the rights of tlie natives would be altogether lost sight 
of and sacrificed. He read at length the articles in the New York 
Tribune of July 20 and the Herald of a previous date, on the subject 
of annexation, to show that the designs of our Government were hostile 
to Hawaiian interests and ought to be regarded in no friendly light. 
These papers, he insisted, were fair and honest, rising above the cor- 
rupting tendency of republican institutions, and entitled to great 
weight in forming an opinion of the policy of the American nation. He 
complained of the course of the minister of foreign relations, charging 
him with a want of openness and candor and stating that he was too 
much disposed to publish matters which ought to be kept secret. As an 
instance, he referred to the joint protest of himself and Mons. Perrin, 
last year, which, he said, had been unnecessarily communicated to Mr. 
Severance, who had made a long rigamarole of a reply, aud that his 
rejoinder to that reply had been suppressed. 

I have the best reason in the world for believing that in this respect 
Gen. Miller's memory was at fault, as he never made any rejoinder 
whatever. He also entered into an argument to refute what I took 
occasion to say on the 4th of July relative to the merits of colonial 
government and the law of primogeniture, praising the latter as a 
beneficent institution which, gave England a class of gentlemen and 
statesmen not to be surpassed in the world. When he had concluded 
the King replied as follows : 

I have heard what you have said to me in the name of your Government. I am 
not sure that I have clearly understood it all, hut I shall consider it so far as I may 
he ahle to recollect it. I would prefer that in all matters which relate to my sov- 
ereignty;, in which my chiefs and people, have a deep interest, communications 
should be made in writing so as to prevent misunderstandings and mistakes either 
hy me or them. 

The speech of Gen . Miller as 1 have heard accounts of it from authen- 
tic sources, was an outrage upon all propriety and insulting to the 
United States. An accurate statement of what transpired at the audi- 
ence was drawn up, as I have reason to believe, by the minister of 
foreign relations and submitted to Gen. Miller for revision. He prom- 
ised to write out the substance of his remarks, but as yet has not done 
so. I have assurances that a copy will be communicated to me at the 
earliest practicable moment. Had not the audience been what is 
termed private I should have requested officially an account of what 
took place, and shall yet find some just reason for doing so if it is not 
received as I anticipate through the dictates of a just and proper 
courtesy, which the minister of foreign relations has on every occasion 
heretofore been willing to extend. 

On Thursday last (September 28) the officers of the Portsmouth and 
St. Mary had a royal audience by special invitation from the King. 
The invitation was conveyed to me ou the preceding day through the 
minister of foreign relations. The whole affair may lie regarded as ex- 
ceedingly complimentary. Such a thing as an invitation for an occa- 
sion of this kind was never before known here. Capt. Dornin is a 
great favorite among all classes of the Hawaiian people, commanding 
universal respect and confidence. It is perhaps to this fact, as much 
as to anything else, that the extraordinary courtesy of the occasion 
may be attributed. But it may be said undoubtedly in addition that 
the Hawaiian authorities are especially desirous of cultivating friendly 
relations with the United States, and look forward to the time when 



372 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



tlieir country may constitute an integral portion of the great North 
American Republic. 

Since my dispatch of the 15th ultimo there has been no progress in 
regard to the treaty of annexation. The crown prince is absent on the 
island of Hawaii, but he has been sent for and his return is daily ex- 
pected. This step resulted from my letter to the minister of foreign 
relations of the date of September 12, a copy of which I have already 
transmitted for your information. I inclose herewith an acknowledg- 
ment of its receipt, from which you will perceive the cause of any recent 
delay that has occurred. 

I now feel some confidence that immediately upon the arrival of the 
prince the treaty will be signed and ratified. The King is unwilling 
to have any action taken in his absence, but at the same time anxious 
to bring matters to a speedy conclusion. Liholiho has already given 
his formal assent to the negotiations so far, by countersigning with the 
ministers the protocols and also the draft of the treaty, a copy of which 
I have sent you. Present appearances indicate that the period of pro- 
crastination is nearly at an end, and I indulge the expectation of being- 
able to send home a treaty of annexation in time for the commencement 
•of the next session of Congress. 
I have, etc., 

David L. Grego. 



Mr. Gregg to Mr. Marcy. 

No. 61.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu , December 19, 1854. 

Sir: The King of the Hawaiian Islands, Kamehameha III, died on 
Friday last, the loth instant, after an illness of about two weeks. He 
was born on the 17th of March, 1813, being in his forty-second year. 
By his subjects he was universally beloved, and among them the mani- 
festations of grief are universal and striking. With scarcely an excep- 
tion the resident foreigners respected him and confided in his justice 
and generosity. His partiality to Americans has always been strong, 
and it will be universally conceded that by his decease they have lost 
a faithful and honorable friend. 

As .soon as his death was known, minute guns were fired from the 
fort on shore and by all the vessels of war in the harbor. 

On the same day the accession of the Prince Royal Alexander Liho- 
liho to the throne, under the style of Kamehameha IV, was proclaimed 
and received universal acquiescence. The young monarch will be 21 
years of age on the 9th of February next. By the Hawaiian laws the 
age of majority for males is fixed at twenty, so that he becomes at once 
ruler de facto of the Kingdom. 

But few young men of his years have more ability or intelligence. 
His general education is good and for sometime past he has been ac- 
customed to take part in the management of public affairs. A few 
years since, with his older brother, he visited the United States and 
Europe, and evidently derived much profit from the opportunity thus 
placed within his reach. His manners and habits are plain and simple, 
in consistency with the American education he has received. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



373 



The cabinet ministers and members of the |)rivy council placed tlieir 
offices at the disposal of the new sovereign yesterday, but he desired 
them to remain for the present in the discharge of their several func- 
tions. 

The King's confidential and most influential adviser is the Hon. 
William L. Lee, chief justice of the supreme court, a thorough Ameri- 
can and a man of undoubted integrity. On the 2d instant he resigned 
his office on account of ill health, but his resignation was not then ac- 
cepted, and the present King absolutely refuses to allow him to quit 
his position, promising to have such an arrangement made as will relieve 
him of his most burdensome duties. 

The salute at sunrise on the 16th, referred to in my letter to the 
minister of the 18th, was participated in by the St. Mary, but not by 
the English and French ships in port, probably for the reason that 
they were not prepared to follow the Hawaiian and American salutes. 
"The royal salute of etiquette" appears to have been arranged for the 
purpose of giving them an opportunity of making up for the omission 
of the morning. 

I have, etc. ; 

David L. Gregg. 



Mr. Gregg to Mr. Marcy. 

n~o. 64.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, December 29, 1854. 

Sir : * * * From information which has recently come to 
my knowledge, I am inclined to entertain the opinion that the present 
head of the government will be disposed to preserve, if possible, the 
separate independence of the Hawaiian Islands. I anticipate, there- 
fore, a notification, as soon as affairs are somewhat settled, to the effect 
that the negotiations for annexation to the United States are no longer 
to be entertained. This is rather a matter of inference than of positive 
certainty: but my own mind is convinced that the anticipations I en- 
tertained will prove to be well founded. 

I think it also probable that efforts will be made to secure the pro- 
tection of the existing sovereignty by the United States, France, and 
Great Britain. That foreign protection of some kind will be sought, I 
regard as almost a certainty. I should be glad to receive instructions 
to guide my conduct in the event of any such question being brought 
up for consideration. 

The ministers who will doubtless be reappointed are men of honesty 
and integrity, but my observation leads me to conclude that in their 
estimation the retention of office is a paramount consideration. Their 
great fault is weakness and not perversity of purpose. Besides their 
views are all against the present administration of the United States, 
and it is not at all unlikely that they conceive it to be fair and just to 
pursue every legitimate course to play advisedly into the hands of those 
who desire political changes. These remarks are especially to be ap- 
plied to the American elements of the Hawaiian Government. 
I have, etc., 

David L. Gregg. 



374 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Marcy to Mr. Gregg. 

Ko. 12.] Department of State, 

) \ r a s It i » gton,J an nary 31 , 1 855, 

Sir : The policy of the United States in relation to the future of the 
Sandwich Islands is presented in the instructions heretofore given to 
you. That policy is not to accelerate or urge on any important change 
in the government of that country, but if it has or should become so 
far enfeebled that it can not be continued, and the sovereignty of the 
islands must be transferred to another power, then a state of things 
will exist in which it will be proper for the United States to have a re- 
gard to the future condition of that country. 

If the Hawaiian Government and people become convinced of the 
necessity of such a change, it is probable that they will, if left to their 
free choice, look to the United States as the country to which they 
would wish to be united. To a proper arrrangement of this kind this 
Government certainly has no objection. 

My dispatch of the 4th of April last has reference to such a contin- 
gency which it was then supposed was about to happen. In case a 
transfer of the islands was proffered to the United States, you were 
directed to enter into negotiations as to the terms of it and conclude a 
treaty on that subject. The outlines of such a treaty were contained 
in that dispatch. 

You have apprised the Department that as soon as negotiations were 
opened you perceived that stipulations different from those indicated 
in your instructions were insisted on, and you very properly notified 
the Hawaiian authorities that you could only entertain them as matters 
to be referred to your Government for its approval or rejection. 

The draft of a treaty you have forwarded to the Department has 
been considered by the President, and he directs me to say that he can 
not approve of some of the articles. If ratified in its present shape 
at Honolulu and sent hither, he would not probably submit it to the 
Senate. There are in his mind strong objections to the immediate in- 
corporation of the islands in their present condition into the Union as 
an independent State. It was expected that the Hawaiian Government 
would be willing to offer the islands to the United States as a territory, 
and to leave the question in relation to their becoming a State to the 
determination of this Government, unembarrassed by stipulations on 
that point. The interests of both parties would seem to indicate this 
as the wisest course. A treaty which would embarrass the United 
States in their action on this question would therefore be objectionable. 

There are other objections to the draft which you have sent to the 
Department, though less formidable than that which the second article 
presents. The amount to be paid as annuities, etc., according to the 
draft, is much larger than was contemplated. 

I think it would be proper that you should inform the Hawaiian Gov- 
ernment that the United States would not be likely to approve of a 
treaty differing in important particulars from the terms contained in 
the dispatch of the 4th of April. 

This Government will receive the transfer of the sovereignty of the 
Sandwich Islands with all proper provisions relative to the existing 
rights and interests of the people thereof, such as are usual and ap- 
propriate to territorial sovereignty. It will be the object of the United 
States, if clothed with the sovereignty of that country, to promote its 
growth and prosperity. This consideration alone ought to be a suffi- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



375 



eient assurance to the people that their rights and interests will be 
duly respected and cherished by this Government. 

In presenting objections to the draft of the treaty which you have 
sent to this Department, the President desires me to assure you that 
he takes no exc'eption whatever to your course in this difficult and em- 
barrassing negotiation, but, on the contrary, it is highly approved. 
Your efforts have been properly directed and your ability is appre- 
ciated and commended. It gives me pleasure to concur in and commu- 
nicate the President's approbation of your conduct. . 
I am, etc., 

W. L. Maecy. 



Mr. McBride to Mr. Seward. 

Kb. 9.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, October 9, 1863. 

Sir: Notwithstanding the subject is a delicate one, yet regarding 
it as a duty to my Government to transmit information concerning the 
policy and views of that to which I am accredited, I ask your undivided 
attention to a few facts in reference to this Government, and some 
things connected with it, 

First. The King is strongly predisposed in favor of the British in 
preference to Americans, or those of any other nationality. English 
policy, English etiquette, and English grandeur seem to captivate 
and control him. His familiar associates are Englishmen, and where an 
office becomes vacated by death, resignation, or otherwise, it is filled by 
the appointment of an Englishman. In a word, English diplomacy 
here has been so adroit and sagacious as to win the esteem and confi- 
dence of His Majesty and the royal family, while American diplomacy 
has been a complete failure in this respect. 

It is plainly to be seen that the British Government places a high 
estimate on the future value of these islands, believing, no doubt, that 
the Pacific and other railroads will be built, and that these islands will 
become very important as a " half-way house" between Europe and 
America on one side and China and Japan on the other, and also in 
their capacity for growing the sugar cane, coffee, rice, and cotton, which, 
no doubt, will be very great when fairly and fully developed. The sa- 
lubrity and peculiar pleasantness of the climate must also add much to 
the intrinsic worth and importance of this country. 

Secondly. The King's health is poor, being afflicted with asthma 
and other chronic affections, and therefore it is not at all probable that 
he will live many years, and, like other valetudinarians, his death would 
not surprise his acquaintances at any time. The English influences 
which are thrown around the King in the persons of English school 
teachers recently imported, and a number of English clergymen sent 
here by Her Britannic Majesty at the request of the King, and he not 
a pious man, and the filling of vacant offices by Englishmen, on the 
whole, being considered, is shrewdly suspected of being a political affair 
under the garb of religion and intended at least to supersede Ameri- 
cans holding office under His Majesty's Government, American school 
teachers, and American clergymen, many of whom have already been 
turned out; in other words, an endeavor to thoroughly Anglicize this 
place and prepare it for a British regency. 



376 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Thirdly. The native population is decreasing so rapidly as to produce 
the general, if not the universal, belief that^ within a short period, say 
from twenty to forty years, there will not be 'enough of them remaining 
to perpetuate this Government. This being the case, these islands 
must, of necessity, pass into other hands and their destiny be controlled 
by other people. The question then is, to what nation shall they be- 
long, and to whom ought they belong, the English or the Americans? 
They are the only competitors. 

Fourthly. An Englishman a little over a year ago loaned this Gov- 
ernment $90,000 for ten years at 10 per cent per annum, in- 
terest to be paid annually. This Government, in all probability, 
will not be able to pay more than the interest, if that, and will 
be more likely to hypothecate lands to Englishmen or to the Eng- 
lish Government for more money. Such an event would be a sufficient 
excuse for Great Britain (Napoleon-like) to take and hold these islands 
as an indemnity, and everybody knows what the result would be. The 
payment of this debt by the United States, and, if need be, the loan of 
half a million more, together with presents both ornamental and useful 
to their majesties and to the heir apparent, cautiously and wisely be- 
stowed, might be the means of giving Americans the vantage ground 
in point of court influence and other interests which may come up in 
the future. 

I beg leave to further say that American interests greatly predomi- 
nate here over all others combined, and not less than four-fifths of the 
commerce connected with these islands is American. The merchants, 
traders, dealers of all kinds, and planters are principally Americans. 
The English have no commerce here worthy of the name and but one or 
two retail stores; the Germans about the same amount of business as 
the English. Many American merchants here are doing quite a large 
business, and would extend their business still more but for the danger 
of British rule over this group, which, if it should become the dominant 
or governing power, American interests would be crushed out with 
eagerness and dispatch. Such is the universal belief of all American 
citizens with whom I have conversed, and such is ray own opinion. It 
would be a flagrant injustice to American citizens, after they have 
labored for the good of these islands for the last forty years, after they 
have brought these people out of barbarism and taught them civiliza- 
tion, science, and religion; in a word made them an intelligent and 
Christian nation, and have done all that has been done in the develop- 
ment of the resources of the country, and given it a world-wide popu- 
larity, to be either driven out or so treated and harassed as to make 
it necessary for their interests to sacrifice their property and leave, 
which is believed would be the case provided the English obtain greater 
influence with the King than they now have: which influence it is the 
desire of Americans here and for the interests of the American Govern- 
ment to avert. Some merchants and planters a,re contracting their 
business, so that they may not suffer so heavy a loss in the event of 
the change which seems probable at no very distant day. 

I am also informed that the British Government since the commence- 
ment of the rebellion in the United States sent a deputation to exam- 
ine and report on the cotton-growing capacity of this group, and the 
report is said to be remarkably favorable. This may aid in explaining 
the lively interest which Her British Majesty's Government takes in this 
Government and the final disposition of these islands so far as con- 
duct is a faithful index to design. The cotton-growing capacity of 
these islands has been sufficiently tested to demonstrate it as a tact 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



377 



that it is not at all inferior to Alabama, Georgia, or Mississippi, either as 
to quality or quantity per acre. There is some cotton now growing in 
the suburbs of this city as rich and luxuriant a growth as I ever saw 
in the Southern States. The capacity of these islands for growing sugar 
cane is of world-wide celebrity and is known to be not inferior to that 
of any other country. All the sugar plantations of any note on these 
islands,' with the exception of two or three, belong to Americans. Cof- 
fee grows here well and it is believed that with proper care and skill 
it might become equal to those more celebrated coffee- growing coun- 
tries. A great deal is now raised here, although for the last few years 
there has been in some localities what is here called the blight on the 
tree. This soil grows rice of an excellent quality in great abundance. 

Indian corn grows well here and yields from 20 to 40 bushels per acre. 
Garden vegetables also grow well here. 

This group of islands under the control of our Government, in my 
judgment would be far more valuable than the ownership of both 
Cuba and the Bahama Islands. All of which is respectfully submitted. 
I have the honor, etc., 

James McBride. 



Message of the President of the United States, communicating, in answer to 
a resolution of the Senate of the 4th instant, a report of the Secretary of 
State, relative to a proposed reciprocity treaty behveen the United States 
and Sandwich Islands. 

February 8, 1864. — Read, referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, and or- 
dered to be printed. 

To the Senate of the United States: 
In answer to the resolution of yesterday on the subject of a reciproc- 
ity treaty with the Sandwich Islands, I transmit a report from the 
Secretary of State, to whom the resolution was referred. 

Abraham Lincoln. 

Washington, February 5, 1864. 



Department of State, 

Washington, February 5, 1864. 

The Secretary of State, to whom has been referred the Senate's reso- 
lution of yesterday, requesting the President, "if not incompatible 
with the public interests, to communicate to the Senate any recent cor- 
respondence at the Department of State relative to a proposed reciproc- 
ity treaty between the United States and the Sandwich Islands," has 
the honor to report that application has been made for a revival of a 
similar treaty which was negotiated here during the administration of 
President Pierce, but which was not approved by the Senate. After 
due consideration, however, especially in connection with the probable 
effect of such a measure on the public revenue at this juncture, it has 
not been deemed advisable further to entertain the subject. It is not 
deemed expedient at present to communicate the correspondence called 
for by the resolution. 

Respectfully submitted, 

William H. Seward. 

The President. 



878 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Seward to Mr. McBride. 

No. 10.] Department of State, 

Washington, January 14, 1864. 

James McBride, Esq., etc. : 

Sir: Your dispatch No. 9, of October 9, 1863, has been received. 
The subject of which it treats, viz, the policy of Great Britain in the 
Sandwich Islands — the efforts made by its officials there to shape and 
control the future destinies of these islands — and the measures which 
you indicate, with the view of counteracting these influences, are all 
deemed of much importance and they will receive the consideration to 
which they are justly entitled, 
I am, etc., 

William H. Seward. 



Mr. McBride to Mr. Seward. 

]STo. 37.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, September 10, 1864. 
Sir: As the United States Government is now paving rent for a 
piece of ground for a naval depot, and as a permanent depot here will 
be vastly more important to our Government in the future than it has 
been in time past, from the increased necessity for naval' defense, owing 
to the States and Territories on the Pacific Slope, the number of Amer- 
ican whale ships floating in various parts of the Pacific, the increased 
and increasing commerce with these islands, and last, though not least, 
the immense commerce which we have the right to anticipate between 
the United States, China, and Japan, I hope it will be considered proper 
in me to suggest that, if a reciprocity treaty should at any time be 
made with this Government, a fee simple to a piece of land at this 
port, sufficient for a wharf and buildings for a naval depot and also 
for a dry dock, should be made one of the conditions of said treaty, as 
the principal advantage accruing from such a treaty will be to this 
Government, as shown in my dispatch of yesterday. 
I have the honor to be, etc., 

James McBride. 



Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward. 

No. 6.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, September 3, 1866. 

Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch 
No. 3, inclosing the opinion of the Attorney-General in the matter of 
the American ships Joseptliine and Blue Jacket. 

I regard it as a cause for congratulation that the Government has 
arrived at the conclusion indicated by the opinions of the Attorney- 
General, for the Hawaiian courts have in the past certainly shown a 
disposition to unnecessarily annoy American shipmasters, and the Ha- 
waiian Government has invariably refused to redress their grievances. 

In examining the correspondence of my predecessors I observe that 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



379 



each one has seen proper to communicate to the State Department his 
views in relation to the Government and people of these islands. Al- 
though I suppose yon are already thoroughly informed, yet I desire to 
call your attention to some points upon which I very materially differ 
from the' ideas expressed by my predecessors. 

Before my arrival here I was led to believe that this Government dis- 
played a marked hostility towards the Government and citizens of the 
United States. The State Department has probably been led into 
the same error. I am perfectly satisfied that no suchjeeiing does exist. 
Many of the American residents have rendered themselves obnoxious to 
the King and his cabinet by personal abuse of the ministers and unwar- 
ranted interference in the political affairs of the Kingdom. The nat- 
ural result of this has been dislike, freely expressed, on both sides. As 
the feeling is apparently of an entirely personal character, lean see no 
reason why it should affect my relations or the relations of my Government 
with His Majesty and his ministers. Another class of Americans, themis- 
sionaries, have controlled the political affairs of the country since 1820. 
They are dissatisfied because within the last few years they have lost 
their hold upon the Government and its offices. The first class of Ameri- 
cans are generally disappointed adventurers, the second class are re- 
ligionists, who, having once exercised supreme power in church and 
state, feel all the bitterness of disappointment at seeing their political 
power pass into other hands, and knowing that the native population 
is beginning to listen to a religion preached from other pulpits lhan 
their own. The American missionaries have undoubtedly labored faith- 
fully ; but it is their own fault if, after forty years' experience as keep- 
ers of the conscience to the natives and their princes, they permit them- 
selves to be driven from the field by an adroit English priest, whose 
church is a mere political machine, and who possesses apparently 
neither the intelligence nor the virtue of his more experienced and Pu- 
ritanical brother missionaries. 

So far as I can see, the influence of the American Government is all 
that it has ever been. The influence of American individuals has been 
lost through their own want of tact and harmony. 

Tl^ere is still another class — the planters of the country. They are 
nearly all Americans, both in nationality and in sympathy ; they are 
the better class of the residents of the islands, possess its substantial 
wealth, control its resources, and annually ship 20,0i 0,000 pounds of 
sugar to the Pacific coast of the United States. Their pecuniary in- 
terests, their political sympathies, their business relations, and their 
personal attachments are all with the United States and its citizens. 

The health of the present King is most precarious. When he dies 
the race of Hawaiian kings dies with him, and I feel confident that he 
will not name a successor. His Majesty is superstitious and to a great 
degree under the influence of a native sorceress, who has predicted 
that he will die as soon as he names a successor. He has faith in her 
prophecy and acts accordingly. I mention this fact in order that you 
may more properly appreciate the enlightened influences which some- 
times control His Majesty's important political measures. 

The fact as I state it is undoubted, and in the event that no successor 
to the throne is appointed the Government of the United States may 
be called upon to arbitrate the future of this country. For this rea- 
son I have felt it my duty to remind you of the condition of affairs 
here and to call your attention to the value of American interests 
which do now, and always must, center in these islands, 



380 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



They are the resting place, supply depot, and reshipping point of all 
our American whaling fleet. 

They are the sources from which the Pacific States receive all the 
sugars they consume. 

The greater part of the agricultural, commercial, and moneyed in- 
terests of the islands are in the hands of American citizens. 

All vessels hound from our Pacific coast to China pass close to these 
shores. 

Geographically these islands occupy the same important relative posi- 
tion towards the Pacific that the Bermudas do towards the Atlantic 
coast of the United States, a position which makes them important to 
the English, convenient to the French, and. in the event of war with 
either of those powers, absolutely necessary to the United States. 
Destitute of both army and navy, the Hawaiian Government is without 
the power to resist aggression, to compel belligerents to respect the 
neutrality of her ports. Equally destitute of financial resources, they 
are without the means of indemnifying those who may suffer through 
their weakness. 

The spirit of this whole people is heartily republican and thoroughly 
American. The King, his half dozen half civilized nobles, as many 
cabinet ministers, and the Lord Bishop of Honolulu (Staley) constitute 
the entire aristocratic element of the country, either in fact or in feeling. 
And when this dynasty ends, as end it will probably within the next 
year, lam sure that if the American Government indicates the slightest 
desire to test in these islands the last Napoleonic conception in the way 
of territorial extension you will find the people here with great unani- 
mity "demanding by votes, freely expressed, annexation to" the United 
States. 

I have the honor, etc., 

Edtvaed McCook, 
United States Minister Resident. 



[Private.— For the Secretary alone.] 

San Francisco, June 7. 1867. 

Hon. W. H. Seward, 

Washington., D. C. : 

Sir : I sail to-morrow for Honolulu and desire before leaving to ask 
you to order me to report in Washington about the time the Hawaiian 
treaty comes before the Senate for ratification or grant me a leave of 
absence tor that purpose. I will then have in my possession every fact 
which might influence the favorable consideration of Congress; and it 
it is unnecessary for me to say how deep an interest I feel in the suc- 
cessful conclusion of the matter with which you intrusted me. 

Should the treaty be ratified. I will feel that I have possibly accom- 
plished all I can accomplish in my present position, and will probably 
wislf to return to my home in Colorado, unless you should favor the 
absolute acquisition of the Hawaiian Islands, in which event 1 would 
like to conduct the negotiations. I think their sovereignty could be 
purchased from the present King, and feel sure that the people of the 
United States would receive such a purchase with universal acclama- 
tion. Will you permit me to suggest that you sound Mr. Harris on the 
subject ! 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



381 



I hope you will send me the leave of absence or orders T have asked 
for; I know it seems like taxing your indulgence too far to ask this fa- 
vor so soon after receiving a similar one at your hands; hut L certainly 
have no wish to make the long; winter voyage from Honolulu to New 
York as a pleasure trip, and my only reason for wishing to visit the 
United States this winter is that I believe it will materially advance 
'the interests of the public service, and I feel sure you will be perfectly 
satisfied with the result should you permit me to come. 
I have, etc., 

Edward M. McCook. 



Mr. Seward to Mr. McCoolc. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 33.] Department of State, 

Wellington, July 13, 1867. 

Mr. McCook, 

Honolulu: 

Sir : Your private note written on the 27th of June, on the eve of 
your departure from San Francisco for Honolulu, has just been received. 

You have leave to come to this place at the next meeting of Congress, 
which will probably take place in November. 

You are at liberty to sound the proper authority on the large subject 
mentioned in your note and ascertain probable conditions. You may 
confidentially receive overtures and communicate the same to me. 

I will act upon your suggestion in that relation in regard to a party 
now here. 

I am, etc., 

William H. Seward. 



Mr. McCook to Mr. Setvard. 

No. 31.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, August 5, 1867. 

, Hon. William H. Seward, 

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. : 
Sir: Since my dispatch No. 30 I have had several interviews with 
His Majesty the King, in one of which I called his attention to the 
remark made by his minister of foreign affairs relative to His Majesty 
leaving his capital because of the presence of the U. S. S. Lackawanna 
here (Mr. De Varigny, the minister of foreign affairs, was present), 
and the King disavowed any such motive and informed me that he had 
left this island simply to superintend the labor on some one of his plan- 
tations. The whole subject was dismissed by my calling His Majesty's 
attention to the fact that there had been nothing in the past acts or 
present attitude of my Government toward this Kingdom which should 
make the presence of an American man-of-war in these waters the 
source of suspicion, and that I regarded it as peculiarly unfortunate 
that these suspicions should be expressed at this particular time, when 
the Government of the United States was endeavoring, by thenegotia- 



382 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



tion of a reciprocity treaty and by every other assurance in their power, 
to show their friendship for the King- and people of these islands. 

On the 25th of July His Majesty again sent for me to meet him in 
council. Telegrams from Washington, published in the California 
.papers, had reached here, disclosing the feet that a treaty of reciproc- 
ity had been concluded between the two countries and made public in 
the United States. His Majesty stated to me that he would like to dis- 
cuss its provisions with me, but did not deem it consistent with his 
dignity, etc., to enter into any such discussion while the Lackawanna 
remained here. I will do His Majesty the justice to say that I do not 
believe this idea was an original one, but was suggested to and forced 
upon him by his ministers, they hoping that the Lackawanna could not 
or would not leave, and that this might prove an insuperable obstacle 
to the ratification of the treaty. I requested that this determination of 
his might be conveyed to me in writing, and on the same day I received 
a communication from the minister of foreign affairs, a copy of which I 
inclose. 

The Lackawanna sailed from these waters on the 30th of July, in 
compliance with orders from the Navy Department, to take formal pos- 
session of and survey Middlebrook Island, and this obstacle being re- 
moved His Majesty again sent for me, approved the treaty in council, 
and issued a proclamation convoking an extraordinary session of the 
legislative assembly on the 2d of September, "for the purpose of con- 
sidering such legislation as may be rendered necessary by the proposed 
convention of reciprocity with the Government of the United States." 
A copy of this proclamation is herewith transmitted. 

I think that the King heartily and earnestly favors this treaty, and 
I think that some, probably the majority, of his ministers just as heart- 
ily and earnestly oppose it ; because they know it will prove destructive 
to all other foreign influence and make American influence dominant 
on these islands. I was present by invitation of His Majesty at four 
of his cabinet meetings and on each occasion he seemed disposed to 
act promptly and favorably, while his councilors yielded, I thought, a 
reluctant and sullen assent to a measure which they alone, of all this 
little Kingdom, look upon Avith .disfavor. I have heard some of the 
most intelligent and influential men of the islands express the opinion 
that should this treaty be ratified by the United States and go into 
effect, abrogation would be revolution; and after its benefits are once 
felt this people will always demand reciprocity or annexation. 
I have the honor to be, sir, your very obedient servant, 

Edward M. McCook. 



[Inclosure in No. 31.] 

Mr. De Varigny to Mr. McCooJc. 

Honolulu, July 25, 186-. 
Sir: Pursuant to the request expressed by your excellency during your interview 
of to-day with His Majesty,, I have the honor to transmit to you the desire expressed 
by the King. 

Before entering into the consideration of the treaty of reciprocity. His Majesty and 
his Government desire your excellency to use your intiueuce in securing the departure 
from this Kingdom of the Lackawanna for the reasons explained to you during the 
af ores aid in t er vie w . 

Hoping for a favorable result of this request, I avail myself of this opportunity to 
renew to you the assurances of the high respect and distinguished consideration with 
which I remain, 

Your excellency's very obedient humble servant, 

C. de Varigny. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



383 



Mr. McGoolc to Mr. Seward. 

No. 32.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, August 5, 1867. 
Sir: I have the iionor to inclose you the copy of a communication 
addressed by me to Gen. Yan Yalkenburgh, United States minister 
resident at Yedo, Japan. 

The note explains itself,- and as I deemed it essential to the inter- 
ests of the public service that it should be written and forwarded 
promptly, I hope its contents will meet with your entire approval. 
I have the honor to be, etc., 

Edward M. McOook. 



[Inclosure in Xo. 32.] 

Mr. McCooJc to Gen. Van Valkenburgh, 

United States Leoation, 

Honolulu, August 5, 1867. 

Dear, Sir : An envoy of the Hawaiian Government sails for Japan 
to-day for the purpose of endeavoring to negotiate a treaty with Japan 
which will admit the sugars and other products of that kingdom on 
an equality with the products of the United States, England, etc. I 
should think it would be your policy to oppose the consummation of 
such a treaty by every means in your power. The Pacific States of the 
United States are almost entirely dependent upon these Hawaiian 
Islands for their supply of sugars, and the planters here depend on the 
Pacific States just as entirely for a market. This circumstance has 
been instrumental in maintaining American influence here, although 
all the sympathies of the Government are probably English;" and so 
soon as they can find another market which will render them independ- 
ent of the United States, our political and commercial influence on 
the islands will be lost. 

You have been here and understand how important in every respect 
these islands are to our country ; and the fact that a treaty of reciproc- 
ity has just been concluded with them shows conclusively that the 
President and Secretary of State fully realize this importance, and are 
anxious by securing all their trade to make American influence para- 
mount. Should they secure this treaty with Japan, and thus find an- 
other and possibly better market for their sugars, etc., it will in eifect 
defeat the objects of the treaty just concluded, by diverting the trade 
we wish to secure into another channel, and enable the planters and 
merchants of these islands to sell their sugars to Japan, and with the 
proceeds buy their goods, as they now do, in an English market, in- 
stead of an American one, as they would naturally if their trade were 
exclusively with the United States. 

At any rate I believe that after so lar gely subsidizing a line of steam- 
ers to secure the trade of China and Japan, we ought to # secure all of it 
if we can; and if the Japanese want sugars raised in this part of the 
Pacific let them buy them through the merchants of San Francisco, or 
some of our other Pacific ports. This seems like a small affair, but I 
think our new trade growing up with China and Japan should be jeal- 
ously watched and fostered, and all other countries hindered if possible 
from injuriously interfering with it in any way. 



384 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



I hope you will concur with me in the view I have taken of this mat- 
ter, and throw every obstacle you can in the way of the success of 
CJapt. Waterman, the Hawaiian envoy, and request Gen. Stahl and 
our other consuls to do the same*. * 

1 have forwarded a copy of this letter to the honorable Secretary of 
State, hoping- that he will approve my opinions and communicate with 
you at once, 

I have the honor to be, etc., 

Edward M. McCook, 

Minister Resident. 



Mr. Seward to Mr. McCoolc. 

[Confidential:] 

Department of State, 

Washington, September 12, 1867. 

Edward M. McCook, Esq., etc. : 

Sir : Circumstances have transpired here which induce a belief that 
a strong interest, based upon a desire for annexation of the Sandwich 
Islands, will be active in opposing a ratification of the reciprocity treaty. 
It will be argued that the reciprocity will tend to hinder and defeat an 
early annexation, to which the people of the Sandwich Islands are sup- 
posed to be now strongly inclined. Under these circumstances, I have, 
first, to advise that you remain at Honolulu instead of coming to the 
United States, as you have before proposed. 

Second. You will be governed in all your proceedings by a proper 
respect and courtesy to the Government and people of the Sandwich 
Islands; but it is proper that you should know, for your own informa- 
tion, that a lawful and peaceful annexation of the islands to the United 
States, with the consent of the people of the Sandwich Islands, is 
deemed desirable by this Government; and that if the policy of annex- 
ation should really conflict with the policy of reciprocity, annexation is 
in every case to be preferred. 

The bearer of this communication will remain for the present at 
Honolulu, and will conform himself in his proceedings there to your 
advice, cooperating with you confidentially ; and you will exercise your 
own discretion how far it may be necessary and when to instruct him 
in any of the matters contained in this dispatch. 
I am, etc., 

William H. Seward. 



Mr. Seward to Mr. McCoolc. 

No. 36.] Department of State, 

^Yashington 7 October 5, 1867. 

Mr. McCook, etc. : 

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch 
of the 5th of August, No. 31. The President is gratified with the in- 
formation that His Majesty the King of the Sandwich Islands approves 
of the reciprocity treaty, and that he took measures to call an extra- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



385 



ordinary session of the legislature for the purpose of a formal ratifica- 
tion. Since the receipt of your dispatch we have received a report by 
the telegraph from San Francisco that the treaty has been finally and 
fully ratified by the Hawaiian Government. 

I refrain altogether from treating upon the subject of the irritation 
which has been manifested at Honolulu in connection with the visit 
of the Lackawanna at that port. No conceivable good could result 
from engaging in diplomatic debate upon that subject. 
I am ? etc., 

William H. Seward. 



Mr. Seward to Mr. Spalding. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 42.] Department op State, 

Washington, July 5, 1868. 

7i. S. Spalding, Esq.. etc. : 

Sir : Your letter of the 14th of April has been received and carefully 
read. The information which you give of the excitement which is pre- 
vailing in Honolulu in regard to the annexation of the Sandwich Islands 
is very interesting. You suggest a system of proceeding here with 
reference to that object which could not possibly, at the present time, 
obtain the sanction of any department of this Government. 

Without going into an explanation of the causes for the condition of 
national sentiment which temporarily exists, it is enough to say that the 
public attention sensibly continues to be fastened upon the domestic 
questions which have grown out of the late civil war. The public mind 
refuses to dismiss these questions even so far as to entertain the higher 
but more remote questions of national extension and aggrandizement. 
The periodical Presidential and Congressional elections are approach- 
ing. Each of the political parties seems to suppose that economy and 
retrenchment 'will be prevailing considerations in that election and the 
leaders of each party therefore seem to shrink from every suggestion 
which may involve any new national enterprise, and especially any for- 
eign one. How long sentiments of this sort may control the proceed- 
ings of the Government is uncertain, but, in the meantime, it will be 
well for you not to allow extravagant expectations of sympathy be- 
tween the United States and the friends of annexation in the islands 
to influence your own conduct. You will continue, however, to write 
me upon the subject freely as you have hitherto done. 
I am, etc., 

William H. Seward. 



No. 54.] Legation op the United States, 

At Honolulu, August 14, 1868. 

Hon. William H. Seward, 

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. : 
Sir : I have the honor to forward herewith a copy of a communica- 
tion addressed by me to the Hawaiian minister of foreign affairs on the 

H. Ex. 48 25 



386 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



29tli ultimo. At the same time I inclosed him a copy of the resolution 
of the Congress of the United States which accompanied your circular 
of January 17, 1867, relative to the coolie trade. 

I deemed this action called for on my part from the fact that during 
my absence a cargo of Japanese coolies arrived at this port on the 
British ship Scioto, and were distributed among' the planters and other 
parties on the islands under a system of contracts holding them to 
labor for the term of three years. I know nothing of the circumstances 
under which these people left Japan, but supposed you are fully advised 
in the premises through Mr. Vanvalkenburg. 

I have been informed that it is in contemplation to send an expedi- 
tion to the South Sea Islands under the auspices of the Hawaiian Gov- 
ernment, or the Hawaiian board of immigration, for the purpose of 
procuring laborers (coolies) from there. Should this really have been' 
the design, I hope the communication I have already addressed to His 
Majesty's Government may lead them to abandon their purpose. If 
any such attempt is persisted in 1 will deem it my duty to protest most 
emphatically against it, unless otherwise directed by you. 

As these South Sea Islanders are without an organized government 
and unable to protect themselves, any attempt to take them by force 
or fraud from their own country and reduce them to a stale of tempo- 
rary servitude here would, it seems to me, justify such active interfer- 
ence on the part of the Government of the United States as might be 
necessary to prevent the inauguration of a traffic more odious than the 
cooly trade of China. 

I have the honor to be, your very obedient servant, 

Edward M. McCook. 



Itfo. 41.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, July 29^1868. 

Sir : I have the honor to inclose you a copy of a resolution on the 
subject of the cooly trade, which has unanimously passed both Houses 
of the Congress of the United States. 

It is believed that in this matter the resolution referred to correctly in- 
dicates the moral sentiment of the country I have the honor to repre- 
sent: consequently I transmit the inclosed copy for the information 
of your Government, believing that His Majesty, actuated by those 
sentiments of humanity for which he has always been so eminently 
distinguished, will cordially cooperate with the Government of the 
United States in its endeavor to discountenance and discourage a 
traffic so repulsive that it meets with the reprobation of the civilized 
world. 

With sentiments of the highest consideration and regard, I have the 
honor to be, 

Tour very obedient servant, 

Edward M. McCook. 

His Excellency Stephen H. Phillips, 

M. H. 21. Minister of Foreign Affairs, etc. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



387 



[From the annual message of President Johnson to the Fortieth Congress, December 

9, 1868.] 

I am aware that upon the question of further extending our posses- 
sions it is apprehended by some that our political system can not suc- 
cessfully be applied to an area more extended than our continent; but 
the conviction is rapidly gaining ground in the American mind that, 
with the increased facilities for intercommunication between all portions 
of the earth, the principles of free government, as embraced in our 
Constitution, if faithfully maintained and carried out, would prove of 
sufficient strength and breadth to comprehend within their sphere and 
influence the civilized nations of the world. 

The attention of the Senate and of Congress is again respectfully in- 
vited to the treaty for the establishment of commercial reciprocity with 
the Hawaiian Kingdom, entered into last year, and already ratified by 
that Government. The attitude of the United States towards these 
islands is not very different from that in which they stand towards 
the West Indies. It is known and felt by the Hawaiian. Government 
and people that their Government and institutions are feeble and pre- 
carious; that the United States, being so near a neighbor, would be 
unwilling to see the islands pass under foreign control. Their pros- 
perity is continually disturbed by expectations and alarms of unfriendly 
political proceedings, as well from the United States as from other for- 
eign powers. A reciprocity treaty, while it could not materially dimin- 
ish the revenues of the United States, would be a guaranty of the good 
will and forbearance of all nations until the people of the islands shall 
of themselves, at no distant day, voluntarily apply for admission into 
the Union. 

Honolulu, April 14, 1869. 
Dear Father : The bark Comet sails to-day for San Francisco, 
and even though I have little to make a letter interesting, X will ven- 
ture a few lines. 

Our latest advices, by the Idaho, seemed to convey the idea that the 
reciprocity treaty was beyond hope, and the effect is beginning to be 
generally felt and seen. Men who have kept silent for months, guard- 
ing their words and actions, have openly expressed themselves of late 
as being in favor of annexation, and begun to talk of forming an or- 
ganization or party with that end in view. 

What they want is to know that they will be backed up by the 
United States and its representatives here in all proper measures 
taken by them to secure a change in the political sentiment of the 
islands and their annexation at the earliest possible period. 

This means not necessarily a war on the part of the United States, 
but a feeling that they are supported by our Government and its offi- 
cials, even to the continued presence of a man-of-war, if necessary, and 
intervention should this Government attempt to stop free speech and a 
free press or put down an American simply because he is an American 
and expresses himself favorably towards the United States. 

Americans whose opinions are entitled to respect claim that they 
have never had from the Government of the United States that coun- 
tenance and support that England and France have always extended 
to their subjects here. They say (and I am disposed to think with some 
justice) that while an Englishman or Frenchman, even though holding 
an office under this Government, never forgets his country, Americans 
have been brought up and become more thoroughly Hawaiian than the 



388 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



natives themselves. I know this to be true in regard to some Ameri- 
cans at present holding office under this Government, and from the 
records of some of our ministers, as well as their subsequent careers, 
I am satisfied there has been ground for complaint, iso doubt the 
American party has committed mistakes. They had the power, and 
ought to have fought rather than lose it. But coming from the mission- 
ary stock, it was contrary to their principles and feelings to resort to 
blows. Besides, some of their best material was drawn off by means 
of royal favor and the honors and emoluments of office. The "dollar" 
is as powerful here as in more enlightened countries, and Americans 
as apt to forget all else in the accumulation of riches. 

I told you I had no hope for annexation while there was a chance for 
" reciprocity." Events do not change my opinion. On the contrary, 
I feel that the desire for annexation is stronger to-day than it has been 
at any time since my arrival on the islands, simply because the pros- 
pects for the treaty are felt to be almost hopeless, and the planters must 
have relief by annexation. 

I have already given you my opinion as to what the missionary or 
American party would do if left to themselves — absolutely nothing. 
In a short time they would be bound hand and foot and powerless to 
resist the machination of the English and French. They are like raw 
troops. Unless they can feel that they are supported by the "veteran 
hand" of the United States they will run at the first flash of powder or 
sight of blood. But shove them into the front rank and let them feel 
that they are safe and they will make as much noise as anybody. 

It is time to decide upon the plan of action. If we want these islands 
immediately, I have no doubt the Lackawanna embroglio will furnish 
the pretext for taking them a laEngland or France. If no other good 
has been accomplished by the Lackawanna, she has served to "draw 
out" the ministers into strong expressions against her and our Gov- 
ernment, and by her presence has kept up the fire of opposition in the 
hearts of Americans and left it easy for our Government to shape its 
future policy. If the United States should take possession to-morrow, 
on the ground that this Government has failed to respect American in- 
terests and shown its inability to maintain its position as an independ- 
ent government, I think it would hardly raise a single remonstrance, 
either here or abroad. The feeling of foreigners seems generally to be 
that of astonishment to see the United States "put up" with so much 
from this little Kingdom. 

But if the Government is in no particular hurry about the acquisition 
of the islands, and desires to accomplish its ends with as little display 
of force or expenditure of money as possible, it might be well to give 
the annexation party a chance to see what they can do. Two years will 
accomplish the change if it can be done at all. To my mind there is a 
better chance for an annexation party right now than there has been 
since the idea of reciprocity was first started. The "Hawaiian Club," 
of Boston, write that the treaty is undoubtedly dead, and that although 
they never favored annexation heretofore, they do so now. They also 
say that the failure of the treaty is owing to the action of the ministers 
of this Government, Dr. Hutchinson and M. de Yarigny, new-s which 
has raised a great deal of ill-feeling toward this Government and in- 
creased the desire for connection with the United States. I take good 
care not to contradict the opinion. The truth is that so long as there 
was a chance for receiving the benefits of free trade with the United 
States and escaping taxation men who had capital invested here were 
generally opposed to annexation. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



389 



The missionaries, I think, always opposed it, on the ground that the 
nations would suffer by the change, But just now all classes, except 
office-holders, are down on this Government, and reciprocity having 
failed them, are ready for anything that will give them a change. But 
here let me reiterate my opinion that our Government must be pre- 
pared to uphold such a party with more favor and stronger aid than 
has ever been given before, and be ready, in case of necessity, to as- 
sume the whole work and fiuish it with one stroke. That is to say, we 
should show to this Government that Americans and their interest must 
be respected and the United States regarded equally with the "most 
favored nations," and let our friends see that we will indorse them in 
all lawful actions and receive them under the Stars and Stripes when- 
ever application is made in the proper manner. 

I still hold that little or nothing can be accomplished at the present 
time by " voluntary " action on the part of the natives or foreigners, in 
the way of changing the political status of the islands or overthrowing 
the present Government. What may be done in time, by educating the 
people up to the issue, especially where the greater part of the capital 
of the islands is at stake, is another question. There are many good 
men who will come out boldly for annexation and strain every nerve 
for its success if they can be satisfied that the United States will help 
them through. But they are not willing to throw away the good they 
have for the uncertainty of something better. The present King has 
already shown, by his abrogation of the old constitution and forcing 
upon the people an instrument of his own creation, that he will stop at 
nothing within his power. Foreign intervention infavor of annexation 
must of course come from the United States. Will it come? If so, the 
party can be organized, 

The present attitude of this Government towards the United States 
and the patience with which we have borne its slights is " a thorn in 
our sides." Englishmen ridicule us, while they secretly "chuckle" 
over what they consider our loss of influence. I am as willing to "stoop 
to conquer " as anyone, and am willing to wait for our laugh until we 
shall have won. But, with every American on these islands, I hope 
our Government will either give up all idea of ever coming into posses- 
sion of this country or else take measures to secure it. That we have 
been outgeneraled in the past is very clear. The reciprocity treaty 
just as completely tied Minister McOook's hands as did the Hawaiian 
minister of foreign relations bind -our commissioner, Mr. Gregg, by 
gettinghim in his debt. The ministers of this Government never wanted 
"reciprocity" or any other connection with the United States, but 
they entertained the subject to quiet the demand for annexation, in- 
tending to kill it in the end. They have either bamboozled or bought 
up our representatives before Gen. McCook, and he they allowed to 
run wild on reciprocity. 

If Gen. McCook comes back here with definite instructions from 
Washington to inaugurate and carry out any set policy, he will un- 
doubtedly fulfill his instructions. But if he returns with no other 
orders but to " cultivate friendly relations," and is allowed to do that 
after his own fashion, you need not look for annexation. The American 
party here is composed of men mostly from the New England States. 
That they are generally " radical " follows as a matter of course. No 
representative of the United States, not even Gen. McCook, has ever 
been in communication with them enough to lead them. What Gen. 
McCook's interest in reciprocity was, I need not say j but everything 



390 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



else had to give way to that one idea, and Americans who did not favor 
it were " d d Republican Yankees.' 7 

My present position is far from enviable. T keep as clear of diplo- 
matic questions as possible, and, of course, while the present state of 
affairs remains unchanged I keep my lips closed, and while hearing all 
sides give approval to none. I have been particularly careful not to 
commit myself. Whenever the future policy of our Government in 
relation to these islands is decided upon, if I am kept here in any 
position enabling me take part I can do so without undoing a single act. 

I send you a newspaper, by this mail, giving account, as far as heard 
from, of the late earthquakes and volcanic eruptions on the island of 
Hawaii. All accounts agree that the present has been the most serious 
convulsion ever experienced. 

His Majesty, accompanied by his commissioner and others, left yes- 
terday on the steamer Kilauea to visit the scene. I was invited to ac- 
company them, but on account of the absence of Gen. McCook, and 
having several vessels in port, was obliged to decline the invitation. 
It is reported that His Majesty goes to Hawaii to make an offering to 
Pele (the goddess of volcanoes) to appease her wrath! He is certainly 
superstitious enough to do so, and the fact that his native sorceress 
bore him company would seem to confirm the story. The natives say 
that some high chief is about to die, and that that is the cause of the 
present volcanic convulsions. It is further said that the King fears 
he is the condemned chief, and hence his visit to Hawaii to make his 
offering to the enraged goddess. 

The Lackawanna is still in port, Capt. Eeynolds thinking the action 
of this Government, in refusing to allow his men to have liberty on 
shore at Hilo, sufficient reason for not returning there. He knows his 
presence here is an eyesore to them, and as they and he are at swords 
points he proposes to remain in their sight as long as he can. I have 
been assured by one of His Majesty's ministers that this Government 
has no fault to find with the United States or any man-of-war, but 
that they object to Gapt. Reynolds personally. I give you this infor- 
mation for what it is worth. My own opinion is that both parties are 
in the wrong. 

The legislature opens on Saturday next, notwithstanding the ab- 
sence of the King. The King's father will deliver the opening speech 
in native, and the chief justice, Judge Allen, will deliver the same in 
English. There may be some interesting matters before the legisla- 
ture during the session, but the main point will be to see how far the 
present ministry can control it. There will be an effort made to sepa- 
rate the two houses, which, if successful, will be one point for the op- 
position. 

I look for Gen. McCook on the Idaho, due May 4, and will write fully 
by her return. 

With much love, your affectionate son, 

Z. S. Spaulding. 



Notes of conversations, Saturday, September 14, 1869. 

Called on Mr. DeVarigny, the minister of foreign relations, about 
9:30 a. m., and after some conversation concerning the reciprocity 
treaty, Mr. De V. asked me when I expected the Lackawanna to return 
I replied that I had no definite idea as to the time. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



391 



Mr. DeV. I do not wish to see the Lackawanna back here. I hope 
when she does return she will have orders to leave immediately. 
McO. For what reason? 

DeV. The commander of the Lackaioanna,G&,j)t. Reynolds, is person- 
ally obnoxious to this Government. 
McO. Why!. 

DeV. Because when a resident of these islands his political senti- 
ments were displeasing to His Majesty and his ministry. 

McO. What were those political sentiments? 

DeV. I can not tell ; they were very obnoxious. 

McO. Do you wisli to establish the principle that, before any Amer- 
ican man-of-war can touch these islands, you have the right to desig- 
nate who shall command her, and what his political principles shall be? 

Mr. DeV. We have the same rights with regard to a man-of-war 
which we would have in relation to a diplomatic agent — the principle 
is precisely the same, and we have the right to refuse to receive the 
one or permit the other to remain in our ports; and if the Lackawanna 
returns to stop here, we will order her peremptorily to leave; we will 
send her away for the reasons I have mentioned about Capt. Beynolds, 
and for other and more serious reasons — this is our right and we are 
determined to exercise it. 

McO. I decline discussing this matter any further at present. Your 
mind appears to be made up, and you saw proper to refer the whole 
matter directly to the Secretary of State of the United States, with- 
out making your communication through the legation, and Mr. Seward 
will no doubt take such action as will be just and proper and I hope 
satisfactory to you. I would suggest, however, at this time, if your 
Government really desires the ratification of the reciprocity treaty, it 
would probably be highly impolitic and imprudent to order away from 
your waters any man-of-war belonging to the United States, just at the 
time when my Government is endeavoring by the most substantial 
proof in their power to show their friendship for the Hawaiian Govern- 
ment. 

About 10:30 a. m. I called on His Majesty and stated that I desired 
to talk with him unofficially. I repeated the conversation between Mr. 
De Varigny and myself and suggested that, as I intended going to 
Washington sometime during this fall or winter, it would probably be 
better to take no action in the premises, even should the Lackawanna 
remain, until he heard from me. On my arrival in Washington 1 would 
lay the whole matter before the Secretary of State and call his atten- 
tion to the objections of the Hawaiian Government to the presence of 
the Lackawanna here. His Majesty replied that this had better be un- i 
derstood before I left. I called his attention to the dispatch of the 
Secretary of State, No. 31, containing renewed assurances of the desire , 
of tbe United States to maintain just and amicable relations with the! 
King of the Hawaiian Islands, and also to all my past assurances that 
the Jjackawanna was here on a friendly mission and for no unusual pur- 
pose. I thought that after all these assurances of friendship from all 
the representatives of my Government he ought to be satisfied as to 
their feelings. The past conduct of the United States toward the Gov- j 
eminent of these islands should be the best assurance that his sover- j 
eignty would always be respected in the future as it had been in the j 
past. I 

His Majesty spoke of newspaper articles in the press of the United 
Stales, advocating the annexation or acquisition of those islands. I 
said that the newspapers of a country did not always represent the 



392 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



sentiments of the government. Editors in the United States were in 
the habit of publishing pretty much what they i)leased, without con- 
sulting the wishes of any person. The articles His Majesty referred to 
had, undoubtedly, originated here in Honolulu. They displayed a local 
knowledge of persons and tilings which no resident of the United 
States would possess. As for acquisition, the United States had never 
yet acquired a foot of territory by conquest. The additions to her 
boundaries had all been made like that of Kussian America, by pur- 
chase, and, although I did not speak by authority, yet I had no doubt 
but that my Government would pay a liberal compensation for the ces- 
sion of any of these islands or all of them. The growing trade of the 
United States on the Pacific made it almost necessary that we should 
have some good naval depot between the Pacific coast and China. 

His Majesty answered that he did not believe that his people would 
ever permit him to cede any of the four larger islands of the group. I 
said that money was a great power, particularly with a needy popula- 
tion, and with a very small portion of the amount he might receive for 
such a cession he would probably be able to direct the sentiments of 
his people in any channel he desired. He replied that Honolulu and 
Hilo were the only two good ports on the islands; that Hilo might be 
made an excellent harbor by spending some money for a breakwater, 
but it was on one of the largest islands, and he did not see, on the 
whole, how he could sell part of an island or the best port in it; he also 
said that it would not be their policy to part with any of the larger 
islands. It might not be objectionable to part with one of the smaller 
ones, but one of them could be of no value to the United States, because 
they had no harbors at all. 

I thanked His Majesty for the interview, and requested that he 
would not mention the subject of our conversation to his ministry or 
any person else, as it would only produce unnecessary and undesirable 
\ comment. He replied that it would not be mentioned by him to any 

person. 

Prom the manner of the King during the whole interview, I was led 
to believe that the subject of our conversation was not an unfamiliar 
one. 



No. 189.] Legation of the United States oe America, 

Honolulu, February 7, 1873. 

Hon. Hamilton Fish, 

Secretary of State, 

Wash ington, J). C. : 

Sir : The new Government here seems well established and in work- 
ing order, appointments to fill its offices having given general satis- 
faction to our resident countrymen. 

The English and German portion of the community, however, com- 
plain that their respective nationalities have not been duly considered 
in the composition of this "cosmopolitan government." 

A strong movement is afoot to induce King Lunaiilo to visit Wash- 
ington and endeavor to form a reciprocity treaty with the United States, 
failing to obtain which it is hoped the occasion will be availed of for 
entering into negotiations for the annexation of these islands to the 
United States. 

I respectfully suggest that proper instructions and arrangements be 



Hawaiian islands. 



393 



made by United States Government for tlie conveyance of and treat- 
ment of His Majesty as the guest of the nation. 

It is proper that I inform you of a remark made to me within a few 
days past by Oapt. Gator, of H. B. M. S. Scout, to the effect that, in 
view of recent events here, his opinion was that England, France, and 
the United States should take possession of these islands under joint 
occupancy. I replied that I thought the United Stages Government 
would not consent to be a party to any such project. 
I am, sir, etc.,* 

Henry A. Feirce. 

P. S. — I inclose three copies of the Hawaiian custom-house statis- 
tics for the year 1872. 



"No. 190.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, February 10, 1873, 

Hon. Hamilton Fish, 

Secretary of State, W ashington, D. G. : 

Sir: The subject now uppermost in the thoughts of Hawaiian offi- 
cials, planters, and merchants relates to the measures needed to be 
taken to stop the decline of the Kingdom in its population, revenue, 
agricultural productions, and commerce. The panacea for the cure of 
these evils, in their opinion, is to be had by effecting a reciprocity 
treaty with the United States. This notwithstanding repeated fail- 
ures heretofore in similar attempts to obtain one. Success therein is 
now hoped for by offering to the United States a quid pro quo, the 
cession of the sovereignty and proprietorship of the spacious, land- 
locked, easily defended harbor or estuary known as Ewa or Pearl Eiver, 
in this island, 10 miles distant from Honolulu, and also to include the 
territory surrounding it, say 10 miles square in all. 

There is a bar at the entrance of the harbor having on it 12 feet of 
water at low tide, but the depth can be increased to any reasonable ex- 
tent without great expense. 

The harbor is sufficiently spacious for several hundred ships to ride 
in safety. Inclosed herewith is extract from the P. Commercial Ad- 
vertiser, newspaper, of date 8th inst., entitled " Eeciprocity," that de- 
velops the views of those urging this project. 

My opinion in regard to probable success of the measure named 
having been solicited by several persons high in authority, but in an 
unofficial manner, I have said in reply that in my judgment the United 
States Government would object to acquiring sovereignty over a part 
only of this island. That the consideration offered by the Hawaiian 
Government for a reciprocity treaty with the United States is cer- 
tainly a very generous one, inasmuch as my Government now derives 
in imports from these islands, in customs revenue, only about $370,000 
per annum. Nevertheless, as the proposed measure or treaty would 
allow the Hawaiian Government to continue to maintain its sovereignty 
over the other portion of the island of Oahu not occupied by the 
United States, therefore the latter would not, probably, seriously en- 
tertain the proposition in the shape presented. Since this conversa- 
tion occurred I have consulted on the subject-matter with Eear- Ad- 
miral Pennack, who is of the opinion that the United States Govern- 
ment should accept the proposition of the harbor of Pearl Eiver, even 



394 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



under the terms and conditions as foreshadowed by the Hawaiian Gov- 
ernment officials. 

I am expecting to receive ere long some definite proposals in regard 
to the subject-matter. 

The native newspaper, u Kuokoa," opposes the suggestion mooted 
here in regard to King Lunaleho visiting Washington for the purpose 
of effecting a treaty, and some of the cabinet also oppose it, on ac- 
count of the King's want of self-restraint in the use of intoxicating 
liquors. 

I am, etc., 

Henry A. Peirce. 

P. S. — Mail steamer Nevada, left on the 27th ultimo for San Francisco, 
returned on the 6th instant to recoal — sailed on 7th instant; vessel 
leaked badly, with machinery and boilers in bad condition. Delay in 
receipt by you of my dispatches (No. 179 to 189) by that vessel is to be 
regretted. 

Yours, etc., 

Henry A. Peirce. 



No. 191.] Legation of the United States of America, 

Honolulu, February 17, 1873. 

Hon. Hamilton Fish, 

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. : 

Sir : Annexation of these islands to the United States and a reci- 
procity treaty between the two countries are the two important topics 
of conversation and warm discussion among Government officials and 
foreign residents. 

A large majority of the latter favor the first-named project^ while 
the former advocate reciprocity. All are convinced, however, that 
some measure should be taken by the Hawaiian Government to effec- 
tually stay the decline in the prosperity of the country, evidenced in 
decreasing exports, revenue, population, whale fishery, and an in- 
creasing public debt. 

Annexation of the islands to the United States will never, in my 
opinion, be adopted or presented as a Government measure, however 
much the people as a whole may desire it. The glitter of the crown, 
love of power, and emoluments of office have too many attractions to 
prevent it. Should the great interests of the country, however, demand 
that " annexation" shall be attempted, the planters, merchants, and 
foreigners generally will induce the people to overthrow the Govern- 
ment, establish a republic, and then ask the United States for admit- 
tance into its Union. My opinion has recently been frequently asked 
in regard to probable success of the two measures proposed. I have 
said that if annexation or a reciprocity treaty is proposed on the part 
of Hawaii to the United States, that the subject will, in either case, be 
profoundly considered and decided upon. But in view of former non- 
success in attempts to secure reciprocity with the United States, and 
the complications that might inure to both nations if cession of the 
harbor of Pearl River were to be accepted by the United States as pro- 
posed in the present instance, I thought the proffer of the cession pure 
and simple of the whole archipelago would have the better chance 
for success as compared with reciprocity under the conditions now 
suggested. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



395 



Those favoring the former measure think it can be carried if the 
King's consent thereto is first obtained (and endeavors will be made 
to that end), provided the United States will, for and in consideration 
of said cessiou, pension off His Majesty and all the chiefs of royal blood 
with the aggregate sum per annum of $125,000, and pay off the Ha- 
waiian national debt, now amounting to about $250,000, and bestow 
upon the cause and for the benefit of education, public schools, and the 
nation's hospitals (three of latter in number) the proprietorship and 
revenues of the crown and public lands. The value of said lands is at 
present estimated at about $1,000,000. It includes, however, the pub- 
lic buildings, waterworks, wharf property, fish ponds, etc. The in- 
come of the crown lands, now inuring to the sovereign, amounts to 
about $25,000 per annum*. The public, or Government, waterworks, give 
about $15,000 per annum, wharf property about the same, notwith- 
standing the free use of them granted to steamship lines. 

Many persons are lukewarm on the subject of annexation to the 
United States solely for the reason that they fear repulse by the United 
States Government. I think the latter should declare its policy and 
objects in regard to this important subject. This nation is bewildered 
and suffering to some degree, not knowing how to shape its own policy 
in connection with its hopes and expectations in regard to the United 
States. 

I inclose herewith an extract from the Commercial Advertiser of 
the 15th inst., headed " Annexation, " considered here as intended to 
be a feeler on the subject. 
• With great, etc., 

Henry A. Peirce. 

P. S. — Your dispatches Nos. 78 and 79 are received. Should the 
King Lunalilo conclude to visit Washington, his departure will not 
take place before October next. 



San Francisco, Oal., May 8, 1873. 

Hon. Wm. W. Belknap, 

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C: 
Sir: In compliance with your confidential instructions of the 24th 
June, 1872, we have the honor to state that we have visited the Sand- 
wich Islands and ascertained the defensive capabilities of their differ- 
ent ports, examined into their commercial facilities, and collected all 
the information in our power on other subjects in reference to which we 
ought to be informed in the event of a war with a powerful maritime 
nation, and we have now the honor to submit the following 

report: 

We left this city on the 30th of December, 1872, on board the U. S. 
S. California, the flagship of Pear-Admiral Pennock, U. S. Navy, and 
arrived at Honolulu January 15, 1873. Admiral Pennock had received 
instructions from our Government to proceed to the Sandwich Islands 
in his flagship and bring to the United States the late King Kameha- 
meha YI. 

A few days before sailing, however, the news of the death of the 
king was received in San Francisco. 



390 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



When we arrived at Honolulu we found a new King, Lunalilo, had 
been elected by an almost unanimous vote of the people. He had been 
inaugurated, and his Government was established in an orderly man- 
ner. At an audience with the King and his ministers, Admiral Pen- 
nock made known his instructions from the Secretary of the Xavy, to 
offer a passage to the late King to the United States. 

We were present at this interview and the announcement of the gen- 
erous intentions of the Government of the United States toward the 
late King appeared to establish, at once, the best relations between 
the new King and Admiral Pennock, as also between the members of 
his Government and ourselves. 

This was fortunate, as it gave us all desirable facilities for accom- 
plishing the objects of our visit: enabled us to converse frankly with 
the King and his ministers upon the subject and to ascertain their feel- 
ings and wishes concerning it, as well as their general policy toward 
the United States. We ascertained from the officers of the U. S. Havy, 
from maps, and from seafaring men that Honolulu is the only good 
commercial harbor in the whole group of the Sandwich Islands. 

There are many other so-called harbors, or places for anchorage, but 
they are mostly open roadsteads affording shelter only from certain 
winds, and they are all entirely incapable of being defended by shore 
batteries. Even the harbor of Honolulu itself can not be defended 
from the shore. It is a small harbor lying seaward from the land and 
only protected from the sea by outlying coral reefs. 

An enemy could take up his position outside of the entrance to the 
harbor and command the entire anchorage, as well as the town of Hon- 
olulu itself. This harbor would therefore be of no use to us as a har- 
bor of refuge in a war with a powerful maritime nation. 

With one exception there is no harbor on the islands that can be 
made to satisfy all the conditions necessary for a harbor of refuge in 
time of war. This is the harbor of Ewa or Pearl Eiver situated on the 
Island of Oahu. about 7 miles west of Honolulu. 

Pearl Eiver is a fine sheet of deep water extending inland about 6 
miles from its mouth, where it could be completely defended by shore 
batteries. The depth of water after passing the bar is ample for any 
vessel. 

Pearl Eiver is not a true river 5 it partakes more of the character of 
an estuary. It is divided into three portions called "locks" — the east 
lock, the middle lock, and the west lock, the three together affording 
some 30 miles of water front, with deep water in the channels. Of these 
locks the east lock is the best, having the most room, the deepest water, 
and presenting the greatest facilities for shore improvements. In the 
middle of this lock there is an island called "Eabbit Island," having 
deep water close to its shores and fine anchorage all around it. This 
island is a level coral island, rising only a few feet above high- water 
level. It is destitute of fresh water, but there is a great abundance of 
good water on the adjacent shores, which could be carried to the island 
at small expense. 

From our examinations we are of the opinion that this island and the 
adjacent shore to the north and west of it afford the most advantageous 
location for a naval depot of supplies and equipment in all these waters. 
But there is not sufficient water at present for heavy vessels to enter 
this Pearl Eiver harbor. At the entrance to the harbor is a coral reef 
some 250 to 300 yards in width, with a depth of water of only 2 to 3 
fathoms on the reef at low water. This reef appears to extend around 
the island, being broken only at the entrance to Honolulu Harbor ; and 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



397 



in fact we are informed that a platform of coral reefs fringe most of the 
shores of all the islands of the Hawaiian group, broken only in few places. 
This coral found at the entrance to Pearl Eiver is " dead that is, it is 
not growing, and the reef is therefore not increasing in size. This ridge 
of coral forms a "barrier or bar across the entrance to this harbor about 
300 yards wide, measuring perpendicularly to the shore. It is compar- 
atively level on the top, from 2 to 3 fathoms of water over it at low tide. 
Its sides are vertical, or nearly so, the depth of water increasing in a 
few feet to 4 or 5 fathoms. The outer, or sea side, then is found to be 
steeper than the inner, or shore side. At the distance of half a mile out- 
side of the reef there is a depth of 15 fathoms, while at the same distance 
inside the reef the depth is only 8 fathoms. 

If this coral barrier were removed Pearl River Harbor would seem 
to have all or nearly all the necessary properties to enable it to be con- 
verted into a good harbor of refuge. It could be completely defended 
by inexpensive batteries on either or both shores, firing across a nar- 
row channel of entrance. Its waters are deep enough for the largest 
vessels of war, and its " locks," particularly around Rabbit Island, are 
spacious enough for a large number of vessels to ride at anchor in per- 
fect security against all storms. Its shores are suitable for building 
proper establishments for sheltering the necessary supplies for a naval 
establishment, such as magazines of ammunition, provisions, coral, 
spars, rigging, etc., while the island of Oahu, upon which it is situated, 
could furnish fresh provisions, meats, fruits, and vegetables in large 
quantities. 

Such being the properties of this harbor, and it being the only one 
on these islands possessing all the requisites, except depth of water on 
the bar, the question arises, can the coral reef at its entrance be re- 
moved? If so, at what cost? And again, if it be removed would the 
channel fill up, or would it remain open under the influence of natural 
causes ? 

A correct answer to these questions in detail can not be given with- 
out a survey of the entrance to this harbor. Under the supposition 
that full information on this subject would become necessary, in case 
negotiations were entered upon looking to the cession of Pearl River 
Harbor to the United States, we informally requested Admiral Pennock 
to include a detailed survey of the entrance to this harbor in his exam- 
inations and surveys of the harbors of these islands. The Admiral 
promised to have such surveys made; when it is received, a detailed 
estimate of the cost of removing the coral barrier can be made. We 
will state however that Lieut. Col. Alexander crossed this bar several 
times while we were at Honolulu. He did not undertake a survey, but 
he took soundings on and around the reef, and examined its character 
and outline. He found the reef composed mostly of coral in situ, cov- 
ered over in small patches for a few inches in depth with coral sand, 
being fragments of coral and coral rock thrown upon the reef and 
ground to pieces under the action of the waves and tidal currents. It 
is his opinion that an entrance could easily be cut through this coral 
reef by surface blasting and that the fine debris would be washed sea- 
ward under the influence of the currents, while the larger masses could 
be removed by dredging or by divers, the islands furnishing many 
men skilled in such business. 

He further gives it as his opinion, founded on the examinations he 
was able to make, that the amount of coral to be removed to open a 
channel 200 yards in width, with a depth of 26 feet of water at low tide, 
would be about 250,000 cubic yards, and that it could be removed for 



398 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



$1 per cubic yard, or for a sum of about $250,000. It should be ob- 
served, however, that this is only an approximate estimate of the cost 
of this work. Detailed estimates could only be made after accurate 
surveys and thorough investigation made for this special purpose. 

As the entrance to Honolulu harbor shows no tendency to fill up, 
and as the entrance to Pearl Eiver, if opened, will be almost exactly 
like that of Honolulu, we see no reason at present to fear a filling up 
on the bar after a passage through the coral reef at its mouth shall 
have been secured. Upon this point, however, it will be safe to with- 
hold opinions until the character of the bottom just outside the coral 
reef is accurately ascertained. 

If the survey and examination should show a large quantity of coral 
sand there, and if the resulting currents of the ebb tide do not remove 
it, it is possible that some of this sand might accumulate in the chan- 
nel of entrance during storms from seaward. 

In case it should become the policy of the Government of the United 
States to obtain the possession of this harbor for naval purposes, juris- 
diction over all the waters of Pearl Eiver with the adjacent shores to 
the distance of 4 miles from any anchorage should be ceded to the 
United States by the Hawaiian Government. 

This would be necessary in order to enable the Government to de- 
fend its depots and anchorage's in time of war by works located on its 
own territory. Such a cession Of jurisdiction would embrace a par- 
allelogram of about 10 by 12 miles. 

It would not be necessary, however, for the Government of the 
United States to own all this land. On the contrary, Rabbit Island 
and a few thousand acres of the shore to the northward and westward 
of it, the limits of which could be determined after careful survey, with 
sufficient land on either side of the entrance of the harbor for fortifica- 
tion purposes, equal in area to about 1 square mile on either side, 
would be all the land which it would be necessary for the Government 
to own. All the rest of the land which might be embraced in any 
cession of jurisdiction could remain in the hands of the present owners. 

We remark that the Hawaiian Government is now having a survey 
made of Pearl Eiver and the vicinity. This survey will show the 
nature of the country and the ownership of all abutting lands. When 
it is completed it will enable us to define distinctly the boundaries of 
the district over which jurisdiction should be ceded, in case our Gov- 
ernment wishes to acquire possession of that harbor. We can then 
also designate what land the Government would require for naval pur- 
poses and for fortifications at the entrance of the harbor. 

From what we could learn of the feelings of the Hawaiian Govern- 
ment on this subject, we believe it would be possible for the United 
States to obtain such a cession of jurisdiction and of land as we have 
indicated should it become the policy of the Government to establish a 
naval depot in these islands. 

The cession of Pearl Eiver and of so much of the surrounding dis- 
trict as might be necessary for its defense, and the title to all the posi- 
tions which would be occupied by the Government either for naval or 
military purposes, would probably be freely given by the Government 
of these islands as a quidpro quo for a reciprocity treaty. 

We remark in this connection that sugar is the principal product of 
these islands, and that it is mostly exported to the Pacific coast of the 
United States. 

The great object of the Hawaiian Government in seeking a reciprocity 
treaty with the United States has been, and will probably continue to 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



399 



be, to relieve its sugar-planters from the operation of our tariff on that 
article. 

The cession of Pearl River could probably be obtained by the United 
States in consideration of the repeal of the duty on Sandwich Island 
sugar. Indeed, the sugar-planter sare so anxious for a reciprocity 
treaty, or so anxious rather for free trade in sugar with the United 
States, that many of them openly proclaim themselves in favor of 
annexation of these islands to the United States. 

The members of the present Government of the Hawaiian Islands 
seem fully alive to the necessity of relieving their principal industry 
from the heavy burden under which it now suffers, and no other mode 
of relief seems possible but annexation or reciprocity. 

Neither the Government nor the native people of the islands are, it 
is believed, prepared to consider the question of annexation at the pres- 
ent time, even if the United States desired to propose it, but the cession 
of Pearl Eiver harbor as an equivalent for free trade is freely discussed 
and favorably considered by the Government and people. 

It is to be observed that if the United States are ever to have a har- 
bor of refuge and naval station in the Hawaiian Island sin the event of 
war, the harbor must be prepared in advance by the removal of the 
Pearl Eiver bar. 

When war has begun it will be too late to make this harbor available, 
and there is no other suitable harbor on these islands. 
We have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. M. SCHOFIELD, 

Major- General U. 8. Army. 
B. S. Alexander, 
Lieutenant- Colonel Engineers, Brevet Brigadier- General TJ. S. Army; 



tfo. 241.] Legation of the United States of America. 

Honolulu, February 11 3 1874. 

Hon. Hamilton Fish, 

/Secretary of State, Washington, D. G.: 

Sir : A telegram addressed to you by this legation, under date of Feb- 
ruary 7th instant, informed you of the decease of King Lunalilo on the 
3d instant, and that in consequence of his not having nominated a 
successor for the throne, the legislative assembly was called to convene 
on the 12th instant for the purpose of choosing a new sovereign. In- 
closed herewith is a portion of the Hawaiian Gazette of this date, which 
gives the official correspondence between this Government and the rep- 
resentatives of foreign countries in regard to Lunalilo's death, It also 
contains an obituary notice, entitled "Our Late King," and some other 
interesting matter pertaining to the same general subject. I also for- 
ward herewith some specimens of the political placards and broadsides 
with which the town has been inundated during the past few days; and 
which have tended to excite the popular mind to fever heat in regard 
to the succession to the throne. 

Thinking it to be a prudent, measure to be prepared against any vio- 
lation of the public peace that may take place to-morrow — on the 
occasion of the election of a new sovereign — I have verbally requested 
Commander Belknap, commanding the U. S. S. Tuscarora and senior 
naval officer present, the U. S. S. Portsmouth, Commander Skerritt, 
being also in this port, to be prepared to land an armed force, in case it 



400 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



were required for the preservation of the peace and protection of life and 
property. I also addressed to him a note suggested "by the Hawaiian 
minister of foreign affairs, recommending that the crews of the two 
vessels should be kept on board on the day of the national election, 
and for the reasons therein named. Copy of said note, together with 
Commander Belknap's reply, is herewith inclosed, marked Ko. 3. 

Mr. Wodehouse, British commander, just now called at the legation, 
and proposed that in case it became necessary to land an armed force 
from the vessels of war in port, that those belonging to H. B. M. ship 
Tendos and the United States vessels should be required to act in con- 
cert and unitedly for the preservation of good order and protection of 
life and property while occupying the town of Honolulu. 

In reply I informed Mr. Wodehouse that in the contingency named 
the American forces, if landed, would act by request of the Hawaiian 
uthorities, and for the sole purposes he named; that I felt unwilling 
to trammel myself with pledges and understandings, as events might 
possibly arise requiring of me independent action and no time given 
me to consult with him. Therefore I felt compelled to decline his pro- 
position. 

To all this Mr. Wodehouse said, "very well." 
I am, etc., 

Henry A. Pierce. 



No. 243.] Legation of the United States of America, 

Honolulu, February 17, 1874. 

Hon. Hamilton Fish, 

Secretary of State, Washington, D. G. : 
Sir : I have now the honor to make report of what has transpired here 
on and since the 12th instant. On that day the legislative as- 
sembly elected the high chief, Hon. David Kalakaua, King of these 
islands; 39 votes were cast for him and 0 for Queen Emma, relict of 
Kamehameha IV. On the 13th instant he was installed as sovereign 1 
under the name of u Kalakaua" (the word signifying u the day of bat- 
tle") in presence of all the officers of Government, the members of the 
diplomatic and consular corps, naval officers, and many other spec- 
tators. 

On the announcement by the president of the assembly from the bal- 
cony of the court house at 3 p. in. of 12th instant that Kalakaua was 
elected King, the populace received it with jeers and contempt. 

The members of a committee that had been appointed by the as- 
sembly to wait upon Kalakaua and inform him of his election, as soon 
as they emerged from the building, were set upon and beaten by a mob. 
The majority of the committee were compelled to return to it, in a 
wounded and sad condition. The rioters thereupon assaulted the court- 
house, broke its windows and sashes, forced in the rear doors, and 
effected an entrance to the rooms. The offices of the attorney- general, 
of Judge Hart well and* others, were sacked and gutted, and all their 
books and valuable papers thrown into the street and destroyed. They 
visited the room of the assembly, broke and destroyed the furniture, 
and assaulted such of the obnoxious members as they found within the 
building, viz, 10 or 12 persons in all. Some of these, severely in- 
jured and senseless, were carried off by friends, the others escaped. 
The crowd outside continued to increase, and became more threatening 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



401 



and menacing. Cries were heard to u fire tlie town." About 40 police- 
men, selected for the purpose, were on duty during the day; but when 
required to make arrests of rioters, took off their badges of office and 
disappeared among the crowd. The volunteer companies of the militia 
were not called out to assist in maintaining order, for the reason as I 
was told, that they could not be depended upon, being divided in politi- 
cal opinions. 

It was at this condition or aspect of affairs that I received requests 
from the King elect and Minister Bishop and Governor Dominis to 
cause an armed force to be landed from the United States vessels of 
war Tuscarord and Portsmouth, then in port. To Commander Belknap, 
of the Tuscarora, as being the senior United States naval officer pres- 
ent and eyewitness with myself of all the events of the day, I imme- 
diately made the request, in conformity with the solicitations of the 
authorities above named. Within the space of ten minutes' time 150 
men and officers, under the respective commands of Commander Bel- 
knap and Commander Skerrett, were landed from their vessels, and 
arrived at the court-house and took possession of the building and 
square of ground surrounding the same. The greater part of the mob 
instantly dispersed. Some few of the ringleaders who remained were 
arrested on the spot by deputy sheriff's, assisted by our officers and 
men. - 

The armed force of 70 men that were landed from the British cor- 
vette Tenedos did not reach the court-house grounds until sometime 
after our forces had taken possession of the place. I am confident in 
belief that no request was originally made by the native authorities for 
the assistance of the English armed force. The executive officer and 
captain of marines of the Tenedos, in the absence of Capt. Bay, took 
the responsibility of landing them without orders $ and they received 
the censure of Capt. Bay for same. 

The matter has, however, been accepted and sanctioned by the Ha- 
waiian authorities, and a letter, antedated, sent to the British commis- 
sioner making a request for assistance. 

The United States forces have, since the 12th instant p. m., guarded 
the court-house, armory, treasury, prison, and station-house. The 
British force, after dispersing the crowd of natives that were assem- 
bled on the grounds of Queen Emma, and on making there a few ar- 
rests of ringleaders, then marched to occupy the barracks and to guard 
the palace and its grounds. There they have remained since the 12th 
instant. 

On the night of the 12th instant some two or three shots were dis- 
charged upon the American guard at the court-house and returned by 
the latter. No one received damage therefrom. The town has been in 
a condition of peace and good order ever since then. Fifty-three rioters 
arein prison awaiting trial. In closed herewith are the following papers. 

Extracts from the I. Commercial Advertiser of February 14, 1874, 
giving accounts of the doings of the assembly on the 12th instant, the 
particulars of the riot, with other interesting articles contained therein. 

Copy of resolutions unanimously passed by the assembly on the 14th 
instant, tendering their thanks to the representatives of foreign pow- 
ers and to the officers and crews of the war vessels in port for gener- 
ous assistance given in preserving the peace and order of the King- 
dom on the 12th day of February, 1874. 

Printed copy of resolutions adopted by the foreign consular corps 
appointing the consuls for the German Empire and for France a com- 
mittee to call upon the representatives of the United States and Great 

H. Ex. 48 26 



402 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Britain, and to convey to them tlie sincere thanks of the foreign con- 
suls for the promptness and impartiality with which the ships of war 
in port assisted the local authorities in putting an end to the disturb- 
ance on the 12th instant, and praising the conduct of officers and men. 

Copy of a circular of date February 13, 1874, addressed to the lega- 
tion from the Hawaiian department for foreign affairs, informing of 
the election of David Kalakaua, King of the Hawaiian Islands. Same 
to the same, of date February 14, 1874, informing that His Majesty the 
King had appointed, by the consent of the nobles, under the twenty- 
second article of the constitution, his brother, his royal highness Prince 
William Litt Leleiohokn, to be Ms successor to the throne after His 
Majesty's decease. 

Photographic likeness of King Kalakana, and a biographical notice 
of him. Born November 16,1836; educated at royal school then in 
charge of American missionaries; married December 19, 1863. Has 
wife and several children living, neither of whom are in the line of the 
succession to the throne. 

Copies addressed by the legation to Commander Belknap, senior 
officer present, commanding the U. S. S. Tuscarora off Honolulu. One 
dated February 10, 1874, recommending the retention on board on the 
12th instant (the day of election for King) the crews of the Tuscarora and 
Portsmouth. Another dated February 16, 1874, conveying my grateful 
acknowledgments and thanks to him and Commander Skerrett for 
valuable, discreet, and efficient services performed by the United States 
forces on the occasion of the riot in this town on the 12th instant, and 
for their subsequent services. In this connection, I beg leave further 
to say that the legation and all American citizens here are under deep 
obligations to Commanders Belknap and Skerrett, their officers and en- 
listed men and marines, composing the forces that were landed on the 
12th instant, for suppressing the riot of that day and for services ren- 
dered since in guarding the public buildings and preserving order. 

The disposition and handling of the force were admirable, and I ob- 
serve that officers and men were disposed to use no more violence while 
suppressing the disturbance than was absolutely necessary to effect 
the object, and their conduct is deserving of commendation for that as 
well as in other respects. 

At midnight of the 12th instant I received a note signed by King 
Kalakaua, requesting my presence at the palace at 7 o'clock the ensu- 
ing morning. On arrival there I found present His Majesty, Mr. Bishop, 
minister of foreign affairs, Mr. Wodehouse, British commissioner, and 
Mr. Ballieu, French commissioner. 

Mr. Bishop stated that the object of the meeting was to ascertain 
whether the representatives of the United States, Great Britain, and 
France then present, respectively, recognized Kalakaua as sovereign 
of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Each of said representatives replied in the 
affirmative. 

Mr. Bishop then informed us that the King would be sworn into office 
and inaugurated on that day at 11 o'clock a. m., and he desired our 
presence on the occasion. The ceremony being hastened as to time, on. 
account of the critical condition of affairs, the installation took place 
as arranged. 

At the request of Mr. Bishop, Mr. Wodehouse, and Mr. Ballieu, I 
called the same morning on Queen Emma, and by authority of my col- 
leagues and in my own capacity as minister resident of the United 
States, as well as her friend, said to her that each member of the diplo- 
matic corps had acknowledged David Kalakaua as the King of the 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



403 



Hawaiian Islands and should hereafter recognize him as such, and we 
advised her to do the same r for the interests of herself and people and 
for the preservation of the peace of the Kingdom 5 that any further op- 
position to the declared will of the assembly, in regard to the succession 
to the throne, might result in serious difficulty to her and her supporters; 
that we recommended her to accept the fact of the legality of Kala- 
kaua's election as King, and to urge her people to likewise do the same, 
and not to commit any more acts of violence or disorder. Queen Emma 
listened to my remarks and advice with great attention and respect. 

The same day, in the afternoon, she publicly addressed her people 
and gave them the counsel I had indicated, and also sent a message to 
the King that she acknowledged him as sovereign of the realm and 
that her people w^ould do the same. The following morning the King 
called in person on her, was favorably received, and amicable relations 
now exist between them and the peace of the kingdom seems restored. 

There is a lamentable want of physical strength in the Government 
to protect itself and foreign residents. The late riot was a natural out- 
growth of the mutiny at the barracks last August and the impunity 
with which the offenders were let off. The weakness of the Govern- 
ment will probably increase, as the military and police force can not be 
relied on to support the law or to arrest its violation. 

Were it not for the serious condition of things emanating from the 
above-named facts one would be amusingly reminded by the Hawaiian 
court and Government, their parade paraphernalia, etiquette, and di- 
minutiveness of the nation and absence of strength, of the court and 
government of Offenbach's Grand Duchess of Geralstine. 

Hereafter a United States vessel of war should always be stationed 
at these islands under a system of reliefs. A time may arrive when 
the United States Government Avill find it necessary for the interests 
of our nation and its resident citizens here to take possession of this 
country by military occupation. 
I am, sir, etc., 

Henry A. Pierce. 



No. 245.] Legation of the United States op America, 

Honolulu, February 20, 1874. 

Hon. Hamilton Fish, 

Secretary of State: 

Sir: Herewith inclosed is copy of the correspondence relating to 
the withdrawal of the United States armed force from this city. The 
event took place this morning at 6 o'clock, after a stay on shore of 
nearly eight days. The conduct of the officers and men during the 
whole period has been of a character entirely unexceptionable and de- 
serving of commendation. 

The British force landed from the Tenedos, about 70 men and officers, 
return on board this forenoon. 

Since order was restored the King has daily invited two or three of 
the officers in charge of our force to dine with him ; and all, both offi- 
cers and men, express satisfaction with their treatment while on shore. 
Very respectfully, 

Henry A. Pierce. 



404 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Green to Mr. Pierce, 

Department op Foreign Affairs, 

Honolulu, February 21, 1874. 

Sir: I am commanded by His Majesty the King to thank you in his 
name and in that of His Majesty's Government, and through you 
Commander Belknap and Commander Skerrett, of the U. S. S. Tusca- 
rora and Portsmouth, for the prompt and efficient aid rendered to the 
local authorities in suppressing the riot in this city on the 12th instant. 

The events of that day, unfortunate as they may have been, served 
to exhibit the feelings of friendship which exist between the two coun- 
tries and the certainty with which this Government may rely in cases 
of emergency upon the cordial and disinterested cooperation of the 
representatives and ships of the United States, as well as those of Her 
Britannic Majesty. 

I have the honor to be, with great respect and high consideration, 
your excellency's, etc., 

W. L. Green. 

His Excellency Henry A. Pierce, 

Minister Resident of the United States, 



Mr. Pierce to Mr. Fish, 

[ExtractT] 

"No. 291.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, October 12, 1874. 

Hon. Hamilton Fish, 

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C: 

Sir: 

####### 

The English and French commissioners here inform me that they 
are opposed to the act of King Kalakaua's departure out of his King- 
dom, on account of its present political condition. I am, however, of 
the belief that they are not actuated therein by a real regard for the 
welfare of this nation, but by a desire to throw obstacles in the way of 
and prevent if possible closer relations taking place between Hawaii 
and the United States. 

It is not thought probable that the King will extend his tour from the 
United States to England and France. It is reported that his finances 
are in a low condition. 

Inclosed herewith are two articles, extracted from the Friend news- 
paper, on the subject of reciprocity with the United States and advo- 
cating the same. 

In view of the best interests of the United States in their relations 
with these islands, I take the liberty to express the hope that a liberal 
commercial treaty may soon be inaugurated by the two countries, 
feeling confident that such act would result to the equal benefit of both 
nations in a pecuniary sense, and moreover be the means of binding 
this archipelago to the United States by the chains of self-interest, 
never to be severed. 

I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

Henry A. Pierce. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



405 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS— COMMERCIAL RECIPROCITY. 

Convention between the United States of America and Sis Majesty the 
King of the Hawaiian Islands. 

COMMERCIAL RECIPROCITY. 

Concluded January 30, 1875. 
Batification advised by Senate March 18, 1875. 
Batified by President May 31, 1875. 
Batified' by King April 17, 1875. 

Batifications exchanged at Washington June 3, 1875. 
Proclaimed June 3, 1875. 

By the President of the United States oe America. 

A PBOCLAMATION. 

Whereas a convention between the United States of America and 
His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, on the subject of com- 
mercial reciprocity, was concluded and signed by their respective 
plenipotentiaries, at the city of Washington, on the thirtieth day of 
January, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, which con- 
vention, as amended by the contracting parties, is word for word as 
follows : 

The United States of America and His Majesty the King of the Ha- 
waiian Islands, equally animated by the desire to strengthen and per- 
petuate the friendly relations which have heretofore uniformly existed 
between them, and to consolidate their commercial intercourse, have 
resolved to enter into a convention for commercial reciprocity. For 
this purpose the President of the United States has conferred full pow- 
ers on Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State; and His Majesty the King of 
the Hawaiian Islands has conferred like powers on Honorable Elisha 
H. Allen, chief justice of the supreme court, chancellor of the King- 
dom, member of the privy council of state, His Majesty's envoy ex- 
traordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the United States of 
America, and Honorable Henry A. P. Garter, member of the privy 
council of state, His Majesty's special commissioner to the United 
States of America. 

And the said plenipotentiaries, after having exchanged their full 
powers, which were found to be in due form, have agreed to the follow- 
ing articles: 

Article I. 

For and in consideration of the rights and privileges granted by His 
Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands in the next succeeding ar- 
ticle of this convention, and as an equivalent therefor, the United 
States of America hereby agree to admit all the articles named in the 
following schedule, the same being the growth and manufacture or 
produce of the Hawaiian Islands, into all the ports of the United 
States free of duty. 

SCHEDULE. 

Arrowroot 5 castor oil; bananas, nuts, vegetables, dried and undried, 
preserved and unpreserved; hides and skins undressed; rice; pulu; 
seeds, plants, shrubs or trees ; muscovado, brown, and all other unre- 



406 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



fined sugar, meaning hereby the grades of sugar heretofore commonly 
imported from the Hawaiian Islands and now known in the markets of 
San Francisco and Portland as " Sandwich Island sugar f syrups of 
sugar-case, inelado, and molasses; tallow. 

Article II. 

For and in consideration of the rights and privileges granted by the 
United States of America in the preceding article of this convention, 
and as an equivalent therefor, His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian 
Islands hereby agrees to admit all the articles named in the following 
schedule, the same being the growth, manufacture, or produce of the 
United States of America, into all the ports of the Hawaiian Islands 
free of duty. 

SCHEDULE. 

Agricultural implements; animals; beef, bacon, pork, ham, and all 
fresh, smoked, or preserved meats; boots and shoes; grain, llour, meal, 
and bran, bread and breadstuff's, of all kinds; bricks, lime, and cement; 
butter, cheese, lard, tallow; bullion; coal; cordage, naval stores, in- 
cluding tar, pitch, resin, turpentine, raw and rectified: copper and com- 
position sheathing; nails and bolts; cotton and manufactures of cotton, 
bleached and unbleached, and whether or not colored, stained, painted, 
or printed ; eggs ; fish and oysters, and all other creatures living in the 
water, "and the products thereof; fruits, nuts, and vegetables, green, 
dried or un dried, preserved or unpreserved; hardware: hides, furs, 
skins and pelts, dressed or undressed; hoop iron and rivets, nails, 
spikes and bolts, tacks, brads or sprigs ; ice ; iron and steel, and manu- 
factures thereof; leather; lumber and timber of all kinds, round, hewed, 
sawed, and unmanufactured, in whole or in part; doors, sashes, and 
blinds; machinery of all kinds, engines and parts thereof; oats and 
hay ; paper, stationery, and books, and all manufactures of paper or 
of paper and wood: petroleum and all oils for lubricating or illuminat- 
ing purposes ; plants, shrubs, trees, and seeds : rice ; sugar, refined or 
unrefined; salt; soap: shooks, staves, and headings; wool and manu- 
factures of wool, other than ready-made clothing; wagons and carts 
for the purposes of agriculture or of dray age; wood and manufactures 
of wood, or of wood and metal, except furniture, either upholstered or 
carved, and carriages; textile manufactures, made of a combination of 
wool, cotton, silk, or linen, or of any two or more of them, other than 
when ready-made clothing; harness and all manufactures of leather; 
starch; and tobacco, whether in leaf or manufactured. 

Article III. 

The evidence that articles proposed to be admitted into the ports of 
the United States of America, or the ports of the Hawaiian Islands, free 
of duty, under the first and second articles of this convention, are the 
growth, manufacture, or produce of the United States of America or 
of the Hawaiian Islands, respectively, shall be established under such 
rules and regulations and conditions for the protection of the revenue 
as the two Governments may from time to time respectively prescribe. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



407 



Article IT. 

Ho export duty or charges shall be imposed in the Hawaiian Islands, 
or in the United States, upon any of the articles proposed to be admit 
ted into the ports of the United States or the ports of the Hawaiian 
Islands free of duty under the first and second articles of this conven- 
tion. It is agreed, on the part of His Hawaiian Majesty, that, so long 
as this treaty shall remain in force, he will not lease or otherwise dis- 
pose of or create any lien upon any port, harbor, or other territory in 
his dominions, or grant any special privilege or rights of use therein, 
to any other power, state, or government, nor make any treaty by 
which any other nation shall obtain the same privileges, relative to the 
admission of any articles free of duty, hereby secured to the United 
States. 

Article V. 

The present convention shall take effect as soon as it shall have been 
approved and proclaimed by His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian 
Islands, and shall have been ratified and duly proclaimed on the part of 
the Government of the United States, but not until a law to carry it 
into operation shall have been passed by the Congress of the United 
States of America. Such assent having been given, and the ratifica- 
tions of the convention having been exchanged as provided in Article 
VI, the convention shall remain in force for seven years from the date 
at which it may come into operation; and further, until the expiration 
of twelve months after either of the high contracting parties shall give 
notice to the other of its wish to terminate the same, each of the high 
contracting parties being at liberty to give such notice to the other at 
the end of the said term of seven years, or at any time thereafter. 

Article VI. 

The present convention shall be duly ratified, and the ratifications 
exchanged at Washington City, within eighteen months from the date 
hereof, or earlier if possible. 

In faith whereof the respective plenipotentiaries of the high contract- 
ing x>arties have signed this present convention, and have affixed thereto 
their respective seals. 

Done in duplicate, at Washington, the thirtieth day of January, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy -five. 



SEAL. 
SEAL. 
SEAL. 



Hamilton Fish. 
Elisha H. Allen. 
Henry A. P. Carter. 



And whereas the said convention, as amended, has been duly ratified 
on both parts, and the respective ratifications were exchanged in this 
city on this day : 

Sow, therefore, be it known that I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of 
the United States of America, have caused the said convention to be 
made public, to the end that the same, and every clause and article 
thereof, may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United 
States and the citizens thereof. 

In witness w T hereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal 
of the United States to be affixed. 



408 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Done at the city of Washington this third day of June, in the yen;' 6/ 
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy live, 

[seal.] and of the Independence of the United States the ninety- 
ninth. 

U. S. Grant. 

By the President: 

Hamilton Fish, 

Secretary of State. 



1876. 

Protocol of a conference between the Acting Secretary of State of the 
United States and the envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary 
of His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, held at ^Y(^sl^ington 
on the ninth day of September, 1876. 

Whereas it is provided by Article V of the convention between the 
United States of America and His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian 
Islands concerning commercial reciprocity, signed at Washington on the 
30th day of January, 1875, as follows : 

u Article V. The present convention shall take effect as soon as it shall 
have been approved and proclaimed by His Majesty the King of the 
Hawaiian Islands, and shall have been ratified and duly proclaimed on 
the part of the Government of the United States, but not until the law 
to carry it into operation shall have been passed by the Congress of the 
United States of America, such assent having been given, and the rati- 
fications of the convention having been exchanged as provided in Article 
VI, the convention shall remain in force for seven years from the date 
at which it may come into operation; and further, until the expiration 
of twelve months after either of the high contracting parties shall give 
notice to the other of its wish to terminate the same, each of the high 
contracting parties being at liberty to give such notice to the other at 
the end of the said term of seven years, or at any time thereafter." 

And whereas the said convention has been approved and proclaimed 
by His Majesty the King of the Hawaiiau Islands and has been ratified 
and duly proclaimed on thepartof the Government of theUnited States; 

And whereas an act was passed by the Senate and House of Eepre 
sentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled enti- 
tled "An act to carry into effect a convention between the United States 
of America and His Majesty the King of the Hawaiiau Islands, signed 
on the thirtieth day of January, eighteen hundred and seventy-five," 
which was approved on the 15th day of August in the year 1876; 

And whereas an act was passed by the Legislative Assembly of the 
Hawaiian Islands entitled "An act to carry into effect a Convention 
between His Majesty the King and the United States of America, 
signed at Washington on the 30th day of January, 1875," which was 
duly approved on the 18th day of July, in the year 1876 ; 

And whereas the ratifications of the said Convention have been ex- 
changed as provided in Article YI. 

The undersigned, William Hunter, Acting Secretary of State of the 
United States of America, and the Honorable Elisha H. Allen, Chief 
justice of the Supreme Court, Chancellor of the Kingdom, Member of 
the Privy Council of State, and His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



409 



Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States of America, duly author- 
ized for this purpose by their respective Governments, have met to- 
gether at Washington, and having found the said convention has been 
approved and proclaimed by His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Is- 
lands and has been ratified and duly proclaimed on the part of the Gov- 
ernment of the United States, and that the la ws required to carry the 
said Treaty into operation have been passed by the Congress of the 
United States of America on the one part and by the Legislative Assem- 
bly of the Hawaiian Islands on the other, hereby declare that the Con- 
vention aforesaid concluded bet ween the United States of America and 
His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands on the 30th day of Janu- 
ary, 1875, will take effect on the date hereof. 

In witness whereof the undersigned have signed this protocol and 
have hereunto affixed their seals. 

Done in duplicate, at Washington, this ninth day of September, one 
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six. 



SEAL. 
SEAL. 



W, Hunter. 
Elisha H. Allen. 



Mr. Evarts to Mr. Comly. 

No. 81.] . Department of State, 

Washington, November 13, 1880. 

Sir : Your No. 117 of the 5th of July last, in reference to the appeal 
of the Hawaiian Evangelical Association for the moral influence of this 
Government to support the enforcement of the prohibitory liquor ordi- 
nance of Chief Lebon of the Ralik Islands, has had favorable considera- 
tion. The wise enactment of that chief requires no argument to justify 
the earnest support of all governments having intercourse with the 
islands, and this Government in particular is desirous of seeing its com- 
plete and impartial enforcement, inasmuch as one of the reported offend- 
ers is unfortunately said to be an American citizen. In view of the 
absence of a national representative in the Ralik group, and consider- 
ing also the alleged coparceny of the German consular officer in the 
traffic which it is so properly sought to restrain, it has been thought that 
a double result might be reached by informing the German Govern- 
ment of our adhesion to Chief Lebon's edict, and requesting its good 
offices, through the agency at Jaluit and the superior consulate at Apia, 
to aid in the impartial and complete enforcement of the law. 

While considerations of trade-would hardly serve alone to warrant 
the establishment of a consular station of the United States in the 
Raliks, it is thought that the moral benefit which would flow from our 
proper representation in that quarter would justify the steps, if a proper 
person could be found to accept the position of consular agent under 
the consulate at Apia. It is regarded as best that the office should 
pertain to the Samoan scheme for more harmonious correlation with the 
British and German systems of consular supervision in the Pacific. 

Your own good offices in the direction of making such an appoint- 
ment are desired, to the extent of inquiring of the Rev. Mr. Bingham, 
who addressed you on the Ralik question, whether he knows of any 
capable American citizen in the Raliks who would' accept the post 
without salary. Possibly the Mr. J. L. Young Avho wrote to Mr. Bing- 
ham from Jaluit, would be a suitable person, and if he should prove to 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

be a resident missionary at that place, no better recommendation would 
be desired. 

Mr. Dawson, the consul at Apia, lias been instructed in the sense of 
this dispatch. 

I am, etc., 

Wm, M. Evarts. 



Mr. Blaine to Mr. Comly, 

[Confidential.] 

Department of State, 

Washington, December 1, 1881. 

James M. Comly, Esq., Honolulu: 

Sir : Iu my formal instruction of this date I have reviewed the gen- 
eral question of the relationship between the United States and the 
Hawaiian Islands, and the position of the latter, both as an integral part 
of the American system and as the key to the commerce of the North 
Pacific. As that instruction was written for communication to the 
Hawaiian secretary of state, I touched but lightly on the essential ques- 
tion of the gradual and seemingly inevitable decadence and extinction 
of the native race and its replacement by another, to which the powers 
of Government would necessarily descend. 

A single glance at the census returns of Hawaii for half a generation 
past exhibits this alarming diminution of the indigenous element, 
amounting to per cent per annum of the population. Meanwhile 
the industrial and productive development of Hawaii is on the increase, 
and the native classes, never sufficiently numerous to develop the full 
resources of the islands, have been supplemented by an adventitious 
labor element, from China mainly, until the rice and sugar fields are 
largely tilled by aliens. The worst of this state of things is that it 
must inevitably keep on in increasing ratio, the native classes growing 
smaller, the insular production larger, and the immigration to supply 
the want of labor greater every year. 

I have shown in a previous instruction how entirely Hawaii is a part 
of the productive and commercial system of the American States. So 
far as the staple growths and imports of the islands go, the reciprocity 
treaty makes them practically members of an American zollverein, an 
outlying district of the State of California. So far as political structure 
and independence of action are concerned, Hawaii is as remote from 
our control as China. This contradiction is only explicable by assum- 
ing what is the fact, that thirty years ago, having the choice between 
material annexation and commercial assimilation of the islands, the 
United States chose the less responsible alternative. The soundness of 
the choice, however, entirely depends on the perpetuity of the rule of 
the native race as an independent government, and that imperiled, the 
whole framework of our relations to Hawaii is changed, if not destroyed. 

The decline of the native Hawaiian element in the presence of newer 
a lid sturdier growths must be accepted as an inevitable fact, in view of 
the teachings of ethnological history. And as retrogression in the 
development of the Islands can not be admitted without serious detri- 
ment to American interests in the North Pacific, the problem of a re- 
plenishment of the vital forces of Hawaii presents itself for intelligent 
solution in an American sense — not in an Asiatic or a British sense. 

There is little doubt that were the Hawaiian Islands, by annexation 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



411 



or district protection, a part of the territory of the Union, their fertile 
resources for the growth of rice and sugar would not only he controlled 
by American capital, but so profitable a field of labor would attract 
intelligent workers thither from the United States. 

A purely American form of colonization in such a case would meet 
all the phases of the problem. Within our borders could be found the 
capital, the intelligence, the activity, and the necessary labor trained 
in the rice swamps and cane fields of the Southern States, and it may 
be w r ell to consider how, even in the chosen alternative of maintaining 
Hawaiian independence, these prosperous elements could be induced 
to go from our shores to the islands, not like the coolies, practically 
enslaved., not as human machines, but as thinking, intelligent, working 
factors in the advancement of the material interests of the islands. 

I desire, therefore, that you w 7 ill give this subject due attention. An 
examination and report will be valuable if showing the proportion of 
occupied rice and sugar lands to the unoccupied and undeveloped ter- 
ritory, the capacities of production, the peculiarities of climate, the 
wages of labor, and the cost of living. It will also be well for you in 
conversation with the leading men of Hawaii to turn their thoughts 
discreetly in the direction of inviting American colonization there. A 
Hawaiian homestead act for the benefit of actual American settlers, 
with remission of taxation during the time necessary to establish new 
plantations on a paying basis, might be in turn supplemented in the 
United States by voluntarily organized emigration schemes and co- 
operative aid to bona fide settlers. Throughout the continent, north 
and south, wherever a foothold is found for American enterprise, it is 
quickly occupied, and this spirit of adventure, which seeks its outlet in 
the mines of South America and the railroads of Mexico, would not be 
slow to avail itself of openings for assured and profitable enterprise 
even in mid-ocean. 

Commending this aspect of the subject to your earnest and immediate 
attention, 

I am, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

Supplementary convention between the United States of America and 
His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, to limit the duration of 
the convention respecting commercial reciprocity concluded January 30, 
1875. 

Concluded December 6, 1884; ratification advised by Senate January 
20, 1887; ratified by President November 7, 1887; ratified by King Oc- 
tober 20, 1887 5 ratifications exchanged at Washington November 9, 1887; 
proclaimed November 9, 1887. 

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

A PEOOLAMATION. 

Whereas a convention between the United States of America and 
the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands, for the purpose of definitely 
limiting the duration of the convention concerning commercial reciproc- 
ity concluded between the same high contracting parties on the 



412 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



thirtieth day of J anuary, 1875, was concluded and signed by their re- 
spective plenipotentiaries at the city of Washington, on the sixth day, 
of December, in the year of our Lord 1884, which convention, as 
amended by the Senate of the United States and being in the English 
language, is word for word as follows: 

Supplementary convention to limit the duration of the convention 
respecting commercial reciprocity between the United States of America 
and the Hawaiian Kingdom, concluded January 30, 1875. 

Whereas a convention was concluded between the United States 
of America and His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, on 
the thirtieth day of January, 1875, concerning commercial reciprocity, 
which by the fifth article thereof was to continue in force for seven 
years from the date after it was to come into operation, and further, 
until the expiration of twelve months after either of the high con- 
tracting parties should give notice to the other of its wish to termi- 
nate the same : and 

Whereas the high contracting parties consider that the increase 
and consolidation of their mutual commercial interests would be better 
promoted by the definite limitation of the duration of the said conven- 
tion: 

Therefore, the President of the United States of*America and His 
Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands have appointed: 

The President of the United States of America, Frederick T. Fre- 
linghuysen, Secretary of State; and 

His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, Henry A. P. Carter, 
accredited to the Government of the United States, as His Majesty's 
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary^ 

Who, Laving exchanged their respective powers, which were found 
sufficient and in due form, have agreed upon the following articles: 

Article I. 

The high contracting parties agree, that the time fixed for the dura- 
tion of the said convention, shall be definitely extended for a term of 
seven years from the date of the exchange of ratifications hereof, and 
further, until the expiration of twelve months after either of the high 
contracting parties shall give notice to the other of its wish to termi- 
nate the same, each of the high contracting parties being at liberty to 
give such notice to the other at the end of the said term of seven years 
or at any time thereafter. 

Article II. 

His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands grants to the Gov- 
ernment of the United States the exclusive right to enter the harbor 
of Pearl River, in the island of Oahu, and to establish and maintain 
there a coaling and repair station for the use of vessels of the United 
States, and to that end the United States may improve the entrance 
to said harbor and do all other things needful to the purpose aforesaid. 

Article III. 

The present convention shall be ratified and the ratifications ex- 
changed at* Washington as soon as possible. 
In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed the 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



413 



present convention in duplicate, and have hereunto affixed their re- 
spective seals. 

Done at the city of Washington the 6th day of December, in the 
year of our Lord 1884. 

Fredk. T. Frelinghtjysen. [l. s. 
Henry A. P. Carter. [l. s. 

And whereas the said convention, as amended, has been duly rati- 
fied on both parts, and the respective ratifications of the same have 
been exchanged. 

Now, therefore, be it known that I, Grover Cleveland, President of 
the United States of America, have caused the said convention to be 
made public to the end that the same and every article and clause 
thereof, as amended, may be observed and fulfilled with good faith 
by the United States and the citizens thereof. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the 
seal of the United States to be affixed. 

Done at the city of Washington this ninth day of November, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven, and of 
the Independence of the United States the one hundred and 

[seal.] twelfth. 

Grover Cleveland. 

By the President : 
T. F. Bayard, 

Secretary oj State, 



Parcels Post Convention between the United States of America and the 

Hawaiian Kingdom. 

For the purpose of making better postal arrangements between the 
United^ States of America and the Hawaiian Kingdom, the under- 
signed," Don M. Dickinson, Postmaster-General of the United States 
of America, and H. A. P. Carter, envoy extraordinary and minister 
plenipotentiary of the Hawaiian Kingdom at Washington, by virtue 
of authority vested in them by law, have agreed upon the following 
articles for the establishment of a parcels post system of exchanges 
between the two countries. 

Article I. 

The provisions of this convention relate only to parcels of mail matter 
to be exchanged by the system herein provided for, and do not affect 
the arrangements now existing under the Universal Postal Union Con, 
vention, which will continue as heretofore; and all the agreements 
hereinafter contained apply exclusively to mails exchanged under these 
articles, directly between the office of San Francisco, in the State of 
California, and such other offices within the United States as may be 
hereafter designated by the Postmaster-General of the United States, 
and the office of Honolulu, in the island of Oahu, and such other offices 
within the Hawaiian Islands as maybe hereafter designated by the post- 
master general of the Hawaiian Kingdom; such matter to be admitted 
to the mails under these articles as shall be sent through such exchange 
offices from any place in either country to any place in the other. 



414 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Article II. 

1. There shall be admitted to the mails exchanged under this con- 
vention, articles of merchandise and mail matter, except letters, post 
cards, and written matter, of all kinds, that are admitted under any 
conditions to the domestic mails of the country of origin, except that 
no packet mast exceed 5 kilograms or 11 pounds in weight, nor the 
following dimensions: Greatest length, three feet six inches 5 greatest 
length and girth combined, six feet 5 and must be so wrapped or in- 
closed as to permit their contents to be easily examined by postmas- 
ters and customs officers; and except that the following articles are* 
prohibited: 

Publications which violate the copyright laws of the country of des- 
tination; poisons, and explosive or inflammable substances; fatty 
substances, liquids, and those which easily liquefy, confections and 
pastes; live or dead animals, except dead insects and reptiles when 
thoroughly dried; fruits and vegetables, and substances which exhale 
a bad odor; lottery tickets, lottery advertisements, or lottery circulars; 
all obscene or immoral articles ; articles which may in any way damage 
or destroy the mails, or injure the persons handling them; also opium. 

2. All admissible articles of merchandise mailed in one country for 
the other, or received in one country from the other, shall be free from 
any detention or inspection whatever, except such as is required for 
collection of customs duties, and shall be forwarded by the most speedy 
means to their destination, being subject in their transmission to the 
laws and regulations of each country respectively. 

Article III. 

1. A letter or communication of the nature of personal correspond- 
ence must not accompany, be written on, or enclosed with any parcel. 

2. If such be found, the letter will be placed in the mails if separable, 
and if inseparably attached, the whole package will be rejected. If, 
however, any such should inadvertently be forwarded, the country of 
destination will collect double rates of postage according to the Uni- 
versal Postal Union Convention. 

3. Xo parcel may contain parcels intended for delivery at an address 
other than the one borne by the parcel itself. If such enclosed parcels 
be detected, they must be sent forward singly, charged with new and 
distinct parcel post rates. 

Article IV. 

1. The following rates of postage shall in all cases be required to be 
fully prepaid with postage stamps of the country of origin, viz : 

2. For a parcel not exceeding four hundred and sixty grams or one 
pound in weight, twelve cents; and for each additional four hundred 
and sixty grams or one pound, or fraction thereof, twelve cents. 

3. The packages shall be promptly delivered to addresses at the post- 
offices of address in the country of destination, free of charge for post- 
age; but the country of destination may at its option, levy and collect 
from the addressee for interior service and delivery a charge not ex- 
ceeding five cents on each single parcel of whatever weight; and if the 
weight exceeds four hundred and sixty grams or one pound, a charge 
equal to one cent for each one hundred and fifteen grams or four ounces, 
of weight, or fraction thereof. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



415 



Article V. 

1. The sender will, at the time of mailing the package, receive a re- 
ceipt of mailing from the post-office where the package is mailed on a 
form like Model I annexed hereto. 

2. The sender of a package may have the same registered bv paying 
the registration fee required for registered articles in the country of 
origin. 

3. An acknowledgment of the delivery of a registered article shall 
be retured to the sender when requested, but either country may re- 
quire of the sender prepayment of a fee therefor not exceeding five 
cents. 

4. The addressees of registered articles shall be advised of the arri- 
val of a package addressed to them, by a notice from the post office of 
destination. 

Article VI. 

1. The sender of each package shall make a customs declaration, 
pasted upon or attached to the package, upon a special form provided 
for the purpose (see Model 2 annexed hereto) giving a general descrip- 
tion of the parcel, an accurate statement of the contents and value, 
date of mailing, and the sender's signature and place of residence, and 
place of address. 

2. The packages in question shall be subject in the country of desti- 
nation to all customs duties and all customs regulations in force in that 
country for the protection of its customs revenues ; and the customs 
duties properly chargeable thereon shall be collected on delivery, in 
accordance with the customs regulations of the country of destination. 

Article VII. 

Each country shall retain to its own use the whole of the postages, 
registration, and delivery fees it collects on said packages; conse- 
quently, this convention will give rise to no separate accounts between 
the two countries. 

Article YIII. 

1. The packages shall be considered as a component part of the mails 
exchanged direct between the United States of America and the 
Hawaiian Kingdom, to be despatched by the country of origin to the 
other at its cost and by such means as it provides, in boxes prepared 
expressly for the purpose, or ordinary mail sacks, to be marked u Par- 
cels post," and to be securely sealed with wax or otherwise, as may be 
mutually provided by regulations hereunder. 

2. Each country shall return to the despatching office by next mail 
all bags, boxes, or sacks used in the exchange of parcels. 

3. Although articles admitted under this convention will be trans- 
mitted as aforesaid between the exchange offices, they should be so 
carefully packed as to be safely transmitted in the open mails of either 
country, both in going to the exchange office in the country of origin 
and to the office of address in the country of destination. 

4. Each despatch of a parcel post mail must be accompanied by a 
descriptive list in duplicate of all the packages sent, showing dis- 
tinctly the list number of each parcel, the name of the sender, the 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Dame of the addressee, with address of destination, and must be en- 
closed in one of the boxes or sacks of such despatch under the form 
of Model 3, annexed hereto. 

Article IX. 

Exchanges of mails under this convention from any place in either 
country to any place in the other shall be effected through the post- 
offices of both countries already designated as exchange post-offices, 
or through such others as may be hereafter agreed upon, under such 
regulations relative to the details of the exchanges, as may be mutually 
determined to be essential to the security and expedition of the mails 
and the protection of the customs revenues. 

Article X. 

1. As soon as the mail shall have reached the exchange office of 
destination that office shall check the contents of the mails. 

2. In the event of the parcel bill not having been received a sub- 
stitute should at once be prepared. 

3. Any errors in the entries on the parcel bill which may be dis- 
covered shall, after verification by a second officer, be corrected and 
noted for report to the despatching office on a form, "verification 
certificate," which shall be sent in the special envelope. 

4. If a parcel advised on the bill be not received, after the non-receipt 
has been verified by a second officer, the entry on the bill should be 
canceled and the fact reported at once. 

5. Should a parcel be received in a damaged or imperfect condition 
full particulars shall be reported on the same form. 

6. If no verification certificate or note of error be received a parcel 
mail shall be considered as duly delivered, having been found on ex- 
amination correct in all respects. 

Article XI. 

If a package can not be delivered as addressed, or is refused, the 
sender will be communicated with through the central administration 
of the office of destination as to the manner in which he desires the 
package to be disposed of, and if no reply is received from him within 
a period of three months from the date of the notice, the package may 
be sold for the benefit of whom it may concern. 

An order for redirection or reforwarding must be accompanied by the 
amount due for postage necessary for the return of the article to the 
office of origin, at the ordinary parcel rates. 

When the contents of a parcel which can not be delivered are liable 
to deterioration or corruption, they may be destroyed at once, if neces- 
sary, or if expedient, sold, without previous notice or judicial formality, 
for the benefit of the right person, the particulars of each sale being 
noticed by one post-office to the other. 

Article XII. 

The Post-Office Department of either of the contracting countries 
will not be responsible for the loss. or damage of any package, and no 
indemnity can consequently be claimed by the sender or addressee in 
either country. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



417 



Article XIII. 

The Postmaster-General of the United States of America and the 
postmaster- general of the Hawaiian Kingdom shall have authority to 
jointly make such farther regulations of order and detail as may be 
found necessary to carry out the present convention from time to time; 
and may by agreement prescribe conditions for the admission to the 
mails of any of the articles prohibited by Article n of this convention 

Article XIY. 

This Convention shall be ratified by the contracting countries in 
accordance with their respective laws, and its ratifications shall be ex- 
changed at the City of W ashington as early as possible. Once ratified, 
and its ratifications exchanged, it shall take effect, and operations 
thereunder shall begin on the 1st day of March, 1889, and shall con- 
tinue in force until terminated by mutual agreement, but may be 
annulled at the desire of either Department upon six months previous 
notice given to the other. 

Done in duplicate, and signed at Washington the 19th day of De- 
cember, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight. 

[seal.] Don M. Dickinson, 

Postmaster -General of the United States of America. 

[seal.] H. A. P. Carter, 

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary 

of the Hawaiian Kingdom. 

The foregoing Parcels Post Convention between the United States 
of America and the Hawaiian Kingdom has been negotiated and 
concluded with my advice and consent, and is hereby approved and 
ratified. 

In testimony whereof I have caused the Great Seal of the United 
States to be hereunto affixed. 
[seal.] Grover Cleveland. 

By the President : 

T. F. Bayard, 
Secretary of State, 
Washington, D. C, January 29, 18S9. 

The foregoing Parcels Post Convention between the Hawaiian 
Kingdom and the United States of America has been negotiated and 
concluded with my advice and consent, and is hereby approved and 
ratified. 

In testimony whereof I have caused the Great Seal of the Hawaiian 
Kingdom to be hereunto allixed. 

[SEAL.] KALAKAUA, KEX, 

By the King : 

Jona. Austin, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs* 
Honolulu, January 10, 1889. 



H. Ex. 48 27 



418 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
Form No. 1. 
Parcel post. 



A parcel addressed a9 under has been posted here this day. 




This certificate is given to inform the sender of the posting of a parcel, and does not indicate 
that any liability in respect of such parcel attaches to the Postmaster-General. 



Form No. 2. 
Parcel post between the United States and Hawaii. 



Date. 
Stamp. 



FOKM OF CUSTOMS DECLARATION. 



Place to which 
the parcel is 
addressed. 



Description of 
parcel: [State 
whether box, 
basket, bag, 
etc.] 



Contents. 



Value. 



Per cent. 



Total 
customs 
charges. 



Total. 



Date of posting , 18.. ; signature and address of sender | 

(Jjjp^For use of post-office only, and to be filled up at the office of exchange. 
Parcel Bill No ; No. of rates prepaid ; Entry No 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
Form No. 3. 



419 



Date stamp of 

Parcels from the United States for Hawaii. the Hawaiian 

post-office. 



Parcel Bill No , dated 18.. ; by "S. S. 



* Sheet No. 



6 
H 


Origin of parcel. 


Name of addressee. 


Address of parcel. 


Eemarks. 













"When more than one sheet is required for the entry of the parcels sent by the mail, it will be 
sufficient if the undermentioned particulars are entered on the last sheet of the parcel bill. 



lbs. 

* Total number of parcels sent by the mail * Total weight of mail 

to Hawaii 

* Number of boxes or other receptacles * Deduct weight of receptacles 

forming the mail ■. 

Signature of dispatching officer at the United ' Net weight of parcels 

States post-office 

Signature of receiving officer at Hawaiian post-offiee. 



Date stamp of 
the United 
States post- 
office. 



Mr. Merrill to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 255.] Legation of the United States, 

Honolulu, August 1, 1889. 

Sir: I have the honor to inclose a very full account, from the 
" Bulletin" of Honolulu, of an attempt made on the 30th ultimo, by 
about 100 half-castes and natives, under the leadership of Eobert W. 
Wilcox and Eobert Boyd, two half-caste Hawaiians, to overthrow the 
present Government of Hawaii and depose the King. 

This is supposed to be their purpose, although their exact intention 
is not yet fully known. 

About 6 o'clock a. m. a message from the King informed me that an 
armed party, led by Mr. Wilcox, was in possession of the palace 



420 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



grounds, and soon thereafter it was learned that insurgents were in 
charge of the building containing the Government offices. 

As soon as possible I had communication with Commander Wood- 
ward of the IT. S. S. Adams, and at once all necessary preparations 
were made to land a force, if found necessary for protection of the 
people and property interests. 

Soon thereafter I met His Majesty's minister of foreign affairs, who 
informed me that a cabinet council would be held forthwith. 

Soon after the news of the affair became generally known, the British, 
Portuguese, and French commissioners called at the legation, and while 
comparing information regarding the situation, Mr. Damon, the newly 
appointed minister of finance, arrived and stated that it was the de- 
sire of His Majesty's ministers to meet the foreign representatives at 
once. It was deemed advisable to comply with this request without 
delay. On meeting the ministers they stated that they desired to fully 
inform us of their contemplated action in the present emergency, and 
that they had determined to occupy the tops of the buildings command- 
ing a view of the palace grounds, with sharpshooters, for the purpose 
of preventing the use of the cannon which were knovm to be in the pos- 
session of the insurgents inside the walls inclosing the palace grounds, 
gradually surround and finally dislodge them with other forces. 

After learning the intention of the Government to operate at once 
with an armed force, I suggested the propriety of Mr. Damon, one of 
the members of the cabinet who speaks the native language, endeavor- 
ing t to communicate with Mr. Wilcox, the leader of the insurgents, 
and ascertain, if possible, the cause of his action and what his demands 
were, if any ; then if Mr. Darnon failed, that the representatives of for- 
eign powers endeavor to obtain an interview with Wilcox, and by their 
good offices effect a peaceful settlement if possible. 

This was cordially agreed to by all and the representatives withdrew 
with the understanding That Mr. Damon would inform us of the result 
of his mission. In about one-half hour Mr. Damon reported to me at 
the legation that Mr. Wilcox refused to receive any communication 
from him whatever, and that Avhile he was seeking to communicate with 
him firing commenced : he deemed it not only imprudent, but suicidal 
for anyone to attempt to approach the palace grounds on a peace 
mission. 

At this juncture, as the report of small arms and cannon came from 
the palace grounds and immediate vicinity quite rapidly, and as many 
with alarm were coming to the legation, I at once requested Com- 
mander Woodward to send to the legation a body of marines, which 
request he promptly complied with. 

The appearance of the marines on the streets and at the legation 
had a very favorable effect on the populace* Soon the report of the 
large guns ceased by reason of the inability of the insurgents to oper- 
ate them in the presence of the fire of the sharpshooters on the tops 
of the surrounding buildings. 

The -'bungalow'* mentioned in the newspaper account and into which 
the insurgents retreated is a frame building situated in the corner of 
the palace grounds sometimes used by the King as a dwelling and for 
offices. 

The palace square comprises about I acres, situate two blocks 
from the central business part of the city, and is entirely inclosed by 
a concrete wall about 8 feet high, while the King's palace is situated 
in the center of the square. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



421 



In the afternoon, and as soon as I ascertained from one of the cabinet 
ministers that an attempt would be made to dislodge the insurgents 
from the "bungalow" before dark by the use of dynamite, and as there 
were large crowds of people congregated on the streets, I deemed it 
advisable to ask for the landing of the remainder of the forces from the 
Ada his before dark as a precautionary measure in the event any as- 
sistance to preserve order might be required, and to be immediately 
available in the event a conflagration should start. In this matter 
Commander Woodward fully agreed, and by permission of the minister 
of foreign affairs the forces landed about 5 o'clock p. m. Early the 
following morning all the men belonging to the Adams returned to the 
ship. 

The members of the cabinet and many prominent residents expressed 
much commendation of the prompt landing of the men, and remarked 
upon the very salutary effect their presence seemed to have among the 
people on the streets. 

The U. S. S. Adams was the only naval vessel in port. The British 
ship Espieyle recently left under sealed orders on a cruise south. 

This disturbance at this time was wholly unexpected by the Gov- 
ernment officials as well as nearly every permanent resident. 

Although for several weeks it was known that Wilcox was endeav- 
oring to draw around him as many disappointed native political aspi- 
rants as possible, yet it was recently ascertained on what seemed very 
reliable authority that no overt acts would be committed prior to the 
next general election in February, when it was thought the preseut 
ministers would be defeated at the polls. 

However, the success of the Government in subduing the insurgents, 
it is thought, will draw some to its support, and the general feeling is 
that the Government will be strengthened by the result of the conflict. 

Immediately after the surrender of the insurgents the city was quiet 
and still remains so, while business is being transacted as usual. As 
to the exact number of the insurgents it is difficult now to determine, 
as some deserted in the early morning. About SO prisoners were secured. 
No serious casualties occurred except to the insurgents. 

In order that you may be promptly informed of the principal facts a 
week in advance of the regular mail, I will forward by the steamer 
leaving here to-morrow a telegram, to be wired from San Francisco, of 
which the following is a copy ; 

On July 30 unsuccessful attempt by about one hundred half-castes and natives 
to overthrow Government and depose King. Insurrection suppressed by Hawaiian 
Government without foreign aid. Six insurgents killed, 12 wounded. Order re- 
stored same day. Men from U. S. S. Adams landed by permission, to protect lives 
and property if found necessary; afterwards returned to ship. 

Before sealing this dispatch I shall inclose clippings from news- 
papers giving latest intelligence, but will be unable to properly paste 
and arrange them. 

Trusting my action may merit the approval of the Department, 
I have the honor, etc., 

Geo. W. Merrill. 



422 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 40.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, 'February 8, 1892. 

Sir: The semiannual election of members of the Hawaiian' legisla- 
ture took place February o. after several weeks of exciting canvass. 
The principal issue on the part of the business men and more conserva- 
tive and responsible citizens was in respect of treaty relations with 
the United States. These supporters of the proposed new treaty which 
they believe has been negotiated at Washington Lad the approval of 
the principal Government officials, though the cabinet is far from being 
vigorous and influential. The opposition, or Liberals, as they term 
themselves, composed mostly of the irresponsible white voters, lialt- 
castes, and of a large majority of the native Hawaijans, pushed their 
canvass on three lines — a new constitution, opposition to the present 
cabinet, and hostility to the proposed treaty, though it finally hedged 
and disclaimed more or less in regard to the last. 

These so-called Liberals were led by Wilcox, the half-caste who was 
at the head of the revolutionary outbreak in July, 1887, and by C. W. 
Ashford, the Cauadian member of the cabinet, who betrayed and de- 
serted his associates when Minister Carter was trying to negotiate a 
new treaty in 1889. This Ashford has some ability, any amount of 
audacity, and is utterly without scruples, and has done his utmost to 
influence the prejudices and passions of the native Hawaiians. Both 
he and Wilcox secured their election as representatives from this 
island. The legislature is composed of 4S members, one-half being 
nobles elected by property holding or income voters. The Conserva- 
tives and friends of the treaty have secured most all of the nobles and 
enough of the representatives to give them a decisive majority, suf- 
ficient, it is thought, to secure the approval of the treaty, even with the 
Pearl Harbor grant in perpetuity. Not improbably there may be a 
change of cabinet when the legislature assembles in May. 

There are increasing indications that the annexation sentiment is 
growing among the business men as well as with the less responsible 
of the foreign and native population of the islands. The present polit- 
ical situation is feverish, and 1 see no prospect of its being perma- 
nently otherwise until these islands become a part of the American 
Union or a possession of Great Britain. The intelligent and responsi- 
ble men here, unaided by outside support, are too few in numbers to 
control in political affairs and to secure good government. There are 
indications that even the ''Liberals," just beaten at the election, though 
composed of a majority of the popular vote, are about to declare for 
annexation, at least their leaders, their chief newspaper having already 
published editorials to this effect. At a future time, after the proposed 
treaty shall have been ratified, I shall deem it my official duty to give 
a more elaborate statement of facts and reasons why a "new depar- 
ture" by the United States as to Hawaii is rapidly becomings- neces- 
sity, that a " protectorate" is impracticable, and that annexation must 
be the future remedy, or else Great Britain will be furnished with cir- 
cumstances and opportunity to get a hold on these islands which will 
cause future serious embarrassment to the United States, 

At this time there seems to be no immediate prospect of its being 
safe to have the harbor of Honolulu left without an American vessel of 
war. Last week a British gunboat arrived here, and it is said will re- 
main here for an indefinite period. 

I am, sir, etc., John L. Stevens. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



423 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 

No. 48.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, March 8, 1892. 

Sift: In view of possible contingencies in these islands, I ask for the 
instructions of the Department of State on the following, viz: 

If the Government here should be surprised and overturned by an 
orderly and peaceful revolutionary movement, largely of native Ha- 
waiians and a provisional or republican 'government organized and 
proclaimed, would the United States minister and naval commander 
here be justified in responding affirmatively to the call of the members of 
the removed Government to restore them to power or replace them in 
possession of the Government buildings"? Or should the United States 
minister and naval commander confine themselves exclusively to the 
preservation of American property, the protection of American citi- 
zens, and the prevention of anarchy? Should a revolutionary attempt - 
of the character indicated be made, there are strong reasons to pre- 
sume that it would begin with the seizure of the police station, with 
its arms and ammunition, and this accomplished, the Eoyal Palace and 
the Government building, containing the cabinet offices and archives, 
would very soon be captured, the latter building being situated about 
one-third of a mile from the police station. In such contingencies 
would it be justifiable to use the United States forces here to restore 
the Government buildings to the possession of the displaced officials'? 
Ordinarily in like circumstances the rule seems to be to limit the laud- 
ing and movement of the United States force in foreign waters and 
dominion exclusively to the protection of the United States legation, 
and of the lives and property of American citizens. But as the rela- 
tions of the United States to Hawaii are exceptional, and in former 
years the United States officials here took somewhat exceptional action 
ill circumstances of disorder, I desire to know how far the present min- 
ister and naval commander may deviate from established international 
rules and precedents in the contingencies indicated in the first part of 
this dispatch. 

I have information which I deem reliable that there is an organized rev- 
olutionary party on the islands, composed largely of native Hawaiians and 
a considerable number of whites and half whites, led chiefly by individu- 
als of the latter two classes. This party is hostile tq the Queen and to her 
chief confidants, especially opposed to the coming to the throne of the 
half-English heir apparent, now being educated in England, and means 
to gain its object either by forcing the Queen to select her cabinet from 
its own members, or else to overthrow the monarchy and establish a 
republic with the ultimate view of annexation to the United States of 
the whole islands. A portion of this party mean only the former, and 
the other portion intend the latter. Failing to accomplish the former, 
the most of the party would seek the latter alternative. I have little 
doubt the revolutionary attempt Avould have been made ere this but 
for the presence here of the United States ship- of- war. I still incline 
to the opinion that the revolutionary attempt will not be made so long- 
as there is a United States force in the harbor of Honolulu, but it 
would be rash to assume or assert this positively. Therefore I deem it my 
official duty to ask for instructions in view of possible contingencies.^ 

I may add that the annexation sentiment is increasing, quite as 
much among the white residents and native Hawaiians, and other 
workingmen who own no sugar stock, as with the sugar planters. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John S. Stevens. 



424 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Navy. 

Copy No. 275.] United States Cruiser San Francisco, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 

San Francisco, Gal., September 6, 1892, 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. : 

Sir: At the time this ship sailed from Honolulu, on the 27 th ultimo, 
everything was extremely quiet. 

There is a strong sentiment existing in Hawaii, among the native 
Hawaiians as well as among the Americans and Germans, in favor of 
a change in the form of government, looking toward the ultimate an- 
nexation of the islands to the United States. 

This subject of annexation has been freely discussed by individuals 
for a long time, but until very recently there has been no combined 
concert of action. There now exists in Honolulu an organization com- 
prising the most prominent annexationists, which has for its object the 
formulation of some plan by which a change of government can be 
affected quietly, and with the consent and cooperation of the Queen 
and the members of her cabinet and staff. 

It is thought that the Queen will consent to abdicate in favor of a 
republican form of government if she can be assured that a suitable 
provision will be made for her in the way of a permanent pecuniary 
settlement. 

The organization I refer to will not countenance anything of a revo- 
lutionary character in the way of force, but expects to be aided by the 
majority of the Hawaiians who now favor annexation without having 
any ideas of how such an event can be reached. 

A change in the present cabinet will certainly be made before the 
present legislature adjourns. There is trouble in obtaining a new cabi- 
net, because the reform parties can not agree on the men to go into the 
different positions. The liberal party is in the majority, and will not be 
allowed to have any voice in the question of the new ministry. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown, 
Bear- A dmiral TJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding U. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster, 

[Confidential.] 

No. 65.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, September 14, 1892. 
Sir : In my dispatch, No. 64, of September 9, I expressed the hope 
that I would be able to send the information by this mail that a new 
Hawaiian cabinet had been formed to take the place of the one so em- 
phatically voted out by the legislature, but the deadlock between the 
Queen and the legislature continues. She has announced a new cabi- 
net, but it is so unsatisfactory to the legislative majority and the busi- 
ness men of the islands that it will undoubtedly be rejected to-day j 
but the vote will not be taken in time to send the information of the 
fact by this mail, which closes at 11 a. m. The Tahitian half-caste fa- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



425 



vorite of the Queen, the marshal of the little kingdom, and his band 
of adventurers, still dominate the palace and defy the responsible men 
of the legislature and the islands. An associate of the half caste fa- 
vorite is an American renegade by the name of Whaley, a disgraced 
and expelled San Francisco custom-house official, now at the head of 
the "opium ring," and one of the supposed owners of the Halcyon, the 
notorious smuggling schooner which flits between these islands and 
British Columbia. This man Whaley has more brain than the Tahitian 
favorite. 

The better portion of the English residents are in substantial accord 
with the principal Americans in support of the legislature, and the 
chief German commercial houses and influential German residents are 
in full agreement with the Americans ; but more or less of the English 
are so jealous of the strong American sentiment in the legislature that 
they support the Queen and the Tahitian favorite openly or covertly. 
The native Hawaiians, composing half of the legislature, are about 
equally divided. The unscrupulous adventurers of different nationali- 
ties — Americans, English, and Germans, without character, and most 
of them without property — are with the half-caste Tahitian favorite 
and the Queen. A majority of the legislature and the best citizens of 
the islands are exercising remarkable forbearance and self-control. 

It is proper for me to say that just at this time Mr. Mott Smith, the 
present minister at Washington, is likely to be misinformed as to the 
real condition of things, for the rejected minister of foreign affairs, a 
native Hawaiian, of the Queen's supporters, still occupies the foreign 
office, and the American deputy would hardly dare to send any ad- 
vices to Minister Smith not indorsed by the acting head of the de- 
partment. 

The U. S. S. Boston is in the harbor, and Capt. Wiltse will cooperate 
with me in exercising careful circumspection. In about twelve days 
from this I can send another dispatch. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



Capt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Wavy. 

U. S. S. Boston (Second Bate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, October 12, 1892. 
The Secretary of the Kavy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C: 
Sir : I have the honor to report that on the 14th of September the 
introduction in the Hawaiian legislature of a want of confidence res- 
olution in the new ministry resulted in a vote of 24 to 21 in favor of 
the resolution. 

The opposition claimed that the resolution had passed, but the min- 
istry declared it required a vote of 25 to pass, and the chair sustained 
them. As the question hinged on an interpretation of the constitution, 
the matter was referred to the supreme court, which decided in favor 
of the ministry. 

On October 4 an election was held to fill the vacant seats of two 
members. The ministerial party raised the cry of anti- annexation and 
were ardently supported by the British and other foreigners. Un- 
warranted attacks were made (in my opinion for political purposes) up- 



426 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



on the United States representatives by anonymous writers in the 
official organ of the Government. The election resulted in a victory 
for the ministry. 

The British representatives manifest the most unusual interest, pub 
licly, in all political proceedings. The action of the ministry, with 
possibly one exception, and of the English element, is plainly in oppo- 
sition to the United States. 

There is a large and growing sentiment, particularly among the 
planters, in favor of annexation to the United States, but I am in- 
formed that the leaders do not think an opportune moment will arrive 
for some time to come. However, everything seems to point toward 
an eventual request for annexation. 

The political situation at present is more quiet and will probably re- 
main so until another resolution of want of confidence is passed, which 
is not likely in the immediate future. 

The financial question is the most important question to be met by 
the ministry. 

Very respectfully, 

Gr. C. Wiltse, 
Captain, Commanding, 



Capt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Wavy. 

U. S. S. Boston (Second Rate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, October 20, 1892. 
The Secretary of the ]Savy, 

Xavy Department, Washington, D. C: 
Sir : I have the honor to report that, since my last letter, on Monday, 
October 17, a want of confidence resolution was unexpectedly intro- 
duced and passed by a vote of 31 to 15, forcing the ministry to resign. 
The political situation is still unsettled. 

It is thought that the names of the new cabinet will be sent to the 
legislature by Monday next, October 21. If the new ministry is ac- 
ceptable to the majority, legislation will be resumed and affairs become 
more settled. If, however, the Queen persists in consulting only her 
own inclination, regardless of the wishes of the opposition, which is a 
large majority, it is difficult to predict what will be the outcome. 

I inclose a paper giving an account of the proceedings, etc., when 
the want of confidence resolution was introduced. 
Very respectfully, 

G. 0. Wiltse, 
Capt a i n, Co m m and ing. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 72.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, October 31, 1892. 
Sir : In dispatch 71 of October 19 I gave account of the rejection 
of the new cabinet appointed by the Queen in defiance of a previously 
expressed majority of the legislature. The deadlock continues. 
Though two weeks have elapsed since the decisive action of the legis- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



427 



lature no ministers have been designated to fill the vacancies. The 
Tahitian favorite and the Queen still refuse to take the legislative 
majority and the leading business men of the islands into their confi- 
dence. The palace is still thronged and surrounded by the worst 
elements, and the responsible citizens feel that they are not welcomed 
as advisors. The Queen and the Tahitian have made several new 
ministerial slates with one responsible man and three of the other kind ; 
but no responsible man, so far, can be found who will go into the 
cabinet with the three whom only a minority of the legislature will 
.accept. 

Thus there is here, on a small scale, the old historic issue between 
autocracy and parliamentary responsibility. The foreign adventurers 
and renegades stand by the Tahitian favorite because he is the instru- 
ment which they can use, and he adheres to them because he needs 
their support. In the meantime the legislature is unable to do busi- 
ness and has been in session only a few hours for several weeks. If 
that body holds firm, the Queen will have to yield, and a responsible 
minority would probably be the result. The ultra-English influence is 
strongly with the half-English Tahitian favorite and the Queen, for the 
one reason only, that the success of the legislative majority would be 
the appointment of a cabinet strongly American in sympathy and pur- 
pose. There are strong reasons for the belief that were it not for the 
presence of the American naval force in the harbor the Tahitian mar- 
shal and his gang would induce the Queen to attempt a coup d'etat by 
proclaiming a new constitution, taking from the legislature the power 
to reject ministerial appointments. 

The recent arrival here from England of T. H. Davies, the head of a 
strong English house in Honolulu, formerly a resident here lor many 
years, has served to intensify the ultra-English feeling and to strengthen 
the American sentiment. This T. H. Davies having made himself rich 
under the sugar provisions of the reciprocity treaty, now resides in 
England and has a kind of supervisory care of the half white Hawaiian 
crown princess, for several years and still at school in England. When 
a resident here at the time the Pearl Harbor provision was pending, 
Davies strongly opposed that provision. He conies now with revived 
zeal against the Pearl Harbor concession. It is not thought that he 
has any encouragement to this course from the home Government of 
England, but that his course is his own, and that his zeal is increased by 
the Canadian Pacific Railroad managers, of whom Davies is the agent. 
The desperate efforts of that road to save itself embrace the scheme of 
a cable, and Pacific steamer lines to Australia and China, including the 
design of antagonizing the interests of the United States in tliese 
islands. This involves the plan of controlling the Hawaiian monarchy 
through the present Queen and her favorite, and especially by the hav- 
ing in hand the crown princess, the general belief being that the 
present Queen will not live many years. Davies, who has this super- 
vising care of the crown princess in England, is a tory. Of course 
these facts, so apparent to intelligent observers here, are telling on all 
friends of the United States. 

The other of the two principal English commercial houses here, 
older and nearly as wealthy as those of Davies & Co., is thoroughly 
Americanized and stands firmly against the efforts of T. H. Davies, 
and is for the United States on every issue. This house owns several 
hundreds of thousands (of dollars worth!) of property in Iowa and 
California, its head being father-in-law of Gen, Dimond, the head of 
the United States mint in San Erancisco. 



428 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Perhaps it is well to state that it is the rumor here that the last re- 
jected cabinet, only holding their places until others are appointed, 
have sent a dispatch to Washington asking the recall of Consul Gen- 
eral Severance. I do not credit this rumor. But influential parties 
have called at this legation who say that if any such step has been 
taken by this rejected cabinet, the American merchants and business 
men. as well as other leading citizens, will send a strong memorial to 
the Department of State against any such action of a dead ministry. 
1 have not encouraged any such action in our behalf, believing it to be 
unnecessary. So far I am supported here by all the responsible Amer- 
icans and others to a degree more than I had the right to expect. This 
so much the more impresses on me the necessity of prudence as well 
as of firmness. To keep the Department of State well informed as to 
affairs here, I deem it well to give these particulars. 
I am, sir, etc., 

John L. Stevens. 



[Later.] 

November 1, 1892. 
Names of the new cabinet sent to the legislature this morning. 
Resolution of "want of confidence" passed in one house, and thirty 
minutes after the names of the new ministry were read, and only 13 
votes out of 18 members of whom the legislature is composed were in 
their favor. The strongest objections are to the minister of foreign 
affairs and to the minister of finance — Joseph Mamohi and William H. 
Cornwell — both of them unqualified and very unacceptable to the more 
responsible men of all nationalities. As they will assume to hold their 
places until their successors shall have been appointed, they may at- 
tempt to do some strange things. As Cornwell, for some reason, is 
hostile to the American minister and to the consul-general, Avould not 
be surprised should he induce his associates to ask for our recall. 
Possibly they may hold their places one week, as the legislature has 
adjourned for six days to allow the Queen time to select their suc- 
cessors. 

John L, Stevens, 



Cajpt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the JS J avy. 

IT. S. S. Boston (second bate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, Xovember 1, 1892. 
The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Dejiartment, Washington, I). C: 
Sir: Respecting the state of political affairs in the Hawaiian King- 
dom, I have the honor to report that, after much delay, a cabinet was 
sent to the legislature to-dav and was immediately voted out by a vote 
of 20 to 13. 

The legislature then adjourned until November 7, having yesterday 
refused to pass appropriation bills for the running expenses of the Gov- 
ernment. Meanwhile the salaries of all officials are overdue and must 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



429 



remain unpaid until the legislature appropriates the money according 
to law. 

The Queen persists in refusing to appoint a cabinet in conformity 
with the wishes of the majority, and it is possible that her obstinacy 
may precipitate a crisis. 
Very respectfully, 

Gr. 0. WlLTSE, 

Captain, U. 8. Navy, Commanding IT. 8. 8. Boston. 



Capt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. S. Boston (second rate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, November 9, 1892. 
The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. : 

Sir: I have the honor to report that the danger of a political crisis 
in the Hawaiian Kingdom seems to have passed. 

The Queen has appointed a cabinet, after much pressure had been 
brought to bear, that is strong financially and favorable to American 
interests. The new ministry will probably be supported by the legis- 
lature, although much opposition has been aroused among the native 
members because they are not represented. It is doubtful, however, if 
the natives can secure enough votes to vote the cabinet out, though 
they would do so if possible. 

I am -informed, from reliable sources, that the Queen had been 
strongly advised to dissolve the legislature and order a new election, 
which would have been unconstitutional, and which would probably 
have* caused a revolution; but she was deterred by the presence of 
United States vessels of war. 

I inclose paper containing editorials on the situation. 
Very respectfully, 

G. C. Wiltse, 
Captain, Commanding U. 8. 8. Boston. 



Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 

[Confidential.] 

No. 74.] United States Legation, 

Honolulu, November 20, 1892. 
Sir: Fidelity to the trust imposed on me by the President, the De- 
partment of State, and the Senate, requires that I should make a care- 
ful and full statement of the financial, agricultural, social, and political 
condition of these islands. An intelligent and impartial examination 
of the facts can hardly fail to lead to the conclusion that the relations 
and policy of the United States toward Hawaii will soon demand 
some change, if not the adoption of decisive measures, with the aim 
to secure American interests and future supremacy by encouraging 
Hawaiian development and aiding to promote responsible government 
in these islands. It is unnecessary for me to allude to the deep in- 
terest and the settled policy of the United States Government in re- 



430 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



spect of these islands, from the official days of John Quincy Adams 
and of Daniel Webster to the present time. In all that period, we 
have avowed the superiority of our interests to those of all other 
nations, and have always refused to embarrass our freedom of action 
by any alliance or arrangement with other powers as to the ultimate 
possession and government of the islands. Before stating the present 
political condition of the little kingdom, it is well to review the sub- 
stantial data as to its area, its resources, its financial and business 
condition, its capabilities of material development, its population, the 
status of its landed property, its government, revenues, and expendi- 
tures, etc. 

PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS. 

. The total area of the kingdom is about (3,000 square miles. Not in- 
cluding several small islands of little importance, the chief value of the 
land area is in the six islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, 
and Hawaii, the last named being nearly the size of all the rest of the 
group. The plains, valleys, and lowlands are fertile, while the high- 
lands are adapted to the raising of extensive herds of cattle, horses, 
and sheep. The arable lands are adapted to the production of sugar, 
coffee, rice, bananas, oranges, lemons, pineapples, grapes and maize. 
Of the arable lands only such as are fitted for the production of sugar 
and rice have been much brought into use. The coffee raised is of 
superior quaritj^, and finds ready market for home consumption and in 
San Francisco. There is no doubt that this product can be greatly 
extended. This opinion is sustained by the examination of experts 
and has been verified by successful results in coffee-raising, to which 
there is now being given special attention. 

The banana culture can be greatly extended, and the opportunities 
for the production of oranges are large and promising. Ripening at a 
time in the year different from those' of southern California, the 
Hawaiian oranges can find a ready market in San Francisco, and es- 
pecially in the cities of Oregon and Washington, where the islands 
procure most of their lumber for buildings and fences, and from which 
they procure coal, the consumption of which will necessarily increase 
for use in the sugar mills and the supply of steamers. For a quarter 
of a century the profits of sugar-raising have tended to divert capital 
and enterprise almost exclusively to the cane culture, to the neglect of 
the other industries and interests of the islands. Good government 
and the building of necessary roads and bridges, the Government as- 
sumption of the " crown lands," and the conversion of them into small 
homesteads for raising the crops already specified, would speedily 
stimulate general prosperity aud increase the American and European 
families and freeholders, and aid to constitute a large number of re- 
sponsible voters, thus giving stability to legislation and government. 

There are nearly 900,000 acres of " crown lands," and these, 
in the main, are among the most valuable of the islands. The rent 
paid for them goes to the Sovereign, and the amount of the income 
received is no doubt much less than it would be if these lands were 
owned and managed by private individuals. There have long been 
more or less abuses in the leasing of these lands, and it is well under- 
stood that the leases have been prolific sources of political favoritism 
and corruption. Well handled and sold at fitting opportunities, the 
proceeds of the crown lands would pay the national debt, provide ade- 
quate pensions for the two or three royalties, in case monarchy should 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



431 



be abolished, and yet leave a balance of considerable amount for a per- 
manent school fund. 

COMMERCIAL AND NAVAL IMPORTANCE OF THE ISLANDS. 

The value of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States for commer- 
cial and naval purposes has been well understood by American states- 
men for more than half a century. The examination of the Hawaiian har- 
bors and a careful consideration of their capabilities of defense, twenty 
years since, by Gen. Scofield and naval officers, whose opinions are on 
record in the Washington departments, plainly indicate how important 
these islands and harbors are to the future American commerce of the 
Pacific. Even to a nonexpert the great value and the easy dc^ensi- 
bility of the harbors of Pearl City and of Honolulu are unmistakably 
obvious. Only six miles from each other, with narrow entrances backed 
by a continuous wall of mountains, each terminus of this natural bar- 
rier reaching to the sea, at relatively small expense these harbors can be 
impregnably fortified against all attack by sea and land. The harbor 
of Honolulu can now be entered by ships drawing 30 feet of water. But 
Pearl Harbor is larger and much preferable for naval purposes. It is 
only necessary to deepen the entrance by removing the bar of coral 
formation. This coral obstruction can be removed with comparative 
ease, and the expense would not be large. Opinions of practical men 
here, who have had to do with these coral formations, as well as my 
personal observation, go to show how readily it can be removed by 
modern explosives and the improved mechanical agencies. 

With a large island between it and the sea, a capacious, safe, and 
beautiful harbor is secured for American commercial and military 
marine.just where the future greatness and the necessities of the United 
States imperatively require. Only those who have carefully examined 
the vast resources of the American Pacific States, and considered that 
nearly two-fifths of the immense area of the United States, through the 
transcontinental railways and by rivers and sounds, outlet on the Pa- 
cific, and have studied the data surely pointing to the vast future com- 
merce of this western world, can adequately appreciate the importance 
of these harbors to the American nation, and the necessity of securing 
them against foreign rivals. If we neglect them the present occupants 
must suffer, and their necessities will force them in directions unfriendly 
to American interests. Circumstances are pressing, and no time should 
be lost in looking at the facts as they really exist. The strong inclina- 
tion of several European powers to gain possession of all the islands in 
the Pacific, except such as are expressly protected by the United States, 
is plainly shown by what has taken place in recent years. 

The seizure of Gilbert, Johnson, and other islands, in the past few 
months, and what recently transpired in regard to Samoa, emphatically 
show that Englaud certainly has not moderated her policy in the indi- 
cated regard, to which course the Canadian Government is undoubtedly 
the inspiring cause. The enormous cost of the Canadian Pacific Rail- 
way impels its managers to make the most desperate efforts to secure 
freight and passengers, and hence its aggressive plans to secure Pacific 
commerce and to gain political and commercial influence in these islands. 
The scheme of a British cable from Vancouver via Honolulu, as well as 
to Japan and China, and of establishing commercial and mail lines of 
steamers on the same routes, is not an idle dream. Powerful agencies 
are already working to these ends, and to effectively safeguard Ameri- 
can interests on the Pacific aud in these islands there is no time for 



432 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



hesitation and delay. If the United States Government does not very 
promptly provide for laying a cable from San Francisco or San Diego 
to Honolulu or Hilo, it may be regarded as certain that a cable will be 
laid by British capital and be controlled by British managers. Pearl 
Harbor for a coaling station and an American cable between California 
and Hawaii are of immediate importance to American commercial and 
naval interests and to the maintenance of American influence on these 
islands. 

THE GOVERNMENT OE THE ISLANDS. 

A question of vital importance to Hawaii and of American interest 
in and care for its future is that of its government. There has been in 
the last twenty years a great change in the political status of things 
here. Formerly the facts and circumstances appertaining to govern- 
ment on these islands were essentially different from what they are to- 
day. Then the population was chiefly native Hawaiian. The natives 
had long lived under a kind of feudal system, with rigid laws and cus- 
toms, which gave to the numerous chiefs and the King absolute despotic 
power. The wisdom and the religious zeal of the Christian mission- 
aries enabled them to acquire and exercise a strong influence for good 
over the chiefs and King as well. Thus a system of government and 
laws were established which were a great improvement on the former 
condition of things. The general good character of the men who effect- 
ively aided the Hawaiian monarch to carry on the Government for 
years secured fairly successful administration of law and the mainte- 
nance of public order at limited cost, the public revenues being small. 
But the numerous Hawaiian chiefs are in their graves. Their families 
are extinct. The original native Hawaiians are now so decimated as 
to number less than two-fifths of the population of the islands. 

The coming to the throne of the late King Kalakaua in 1873 was by 
legislative election, and but for the presence in the harbor and on shore 
of American marines and sailors, of the United States vessels of war, he 
would have failed to secure his crown against a determined mob in the 
interest of another aspirant. The great prosperity of the islands under 
the reciprocity treaty, stimulating the production of sugar, leading to 
a large American, European, and Asiatic immigration, caused a large 
increase of the Government revenues. This prosperous state of things 
also soon resulted in a large increase of the Government expenditures, 
in the addition of new offices, a large augmentation of salaries, thus 
stimulating the desire for official places and patronage, exciting the 
greed of adventurous and too often unworthy political partisans. Easy 
going, unused to and incapable of safe and economical administration, 
the King, Kalakaua, too often, in his seventeen years of reign, fell into 
the hands of unscrupulous associates and advisers. The Government 
expenditures soon reached figures much above what the area and popu- 
lation of the little kingdom justified. But so long as the great profits 
of sugar-raising under the American tariff flowed into the islands, the 
excessive Government expenses could be paid without the principal 
taxpayers very sensibly realizing the burden. 

The adoption of a new constitution in 1887, taking from the King 
much of his former power and establishing legislative and ministerial 
responsibility, effected a beneficial change. But the great reduction of 
the profits ot sugar-raising, rendering some of the plantations nearly 
worthless, and greatly lessening the income and market value of the 
others, has brought a condition of affairs which compels all the reflect- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



433 



ing and responsible citizens to see that the present expenses of the 
Government are much beyond what the islands can pay and much 
higher than wise legislation and proper economic administration re- 
quire. But the difficulty of getting out of the old grooves, of scaling 
down salaries, and abolishing useless offices is hard to overcome. 
Nearly one-half of the population of the country have no voice in politi- 
cal affairs, unless exerted through corruption and bribery. The voting 
population is made up of several nationalities — Hawaiian, Portuguese, 
American, English, German, and others, the more intelligent and re- 
sponsible of these generally acting together sufficiently to exercise a 
beneficial influence on legislation and administration. But the palace 
patronage and influence are still considerable, costing the country more 
than it is able to pay and returning to the country no positive advan- 
tages. 

Directly and indirectly, the palace probably costs the little kingdom 
$150,000 per year. A governor, at 85,000 a year, acting in harmony 
with the responsible men of the legislature, would be far better for 
the islands than the present monarchical Government. In truth, the 
monarchy here is an absurd anachronism. It has nothing on which it 
logically or legitimately stands. -The feudal basis on which it once 
stood no longer existing, the monarchy now is only an impedient to 
good government — an obstruction to the prosperity and progress of the 
islands. Incapable of comprehending the principles of constitutional 
government, more likely to take the advice of unworthy counsel than 
of the more competent, the reigning Sovereign insists in dealing with 
what properly belongs to the legislature and to the ministers. Thus 
the palace is constantly open to superficial and irresponsible courtiers 
and to unprincipled adventurers of different nationalities. Instead of 
exercising a salutary influence on public affairs it is the center of mal- 
administration and of the most vicious kind of politics. It is now, 
and it has been for the last twenty years, and is always likely to be, a 

• fruitful source of public demoralization. 

• It may be asked Avhy do not the people of the islands at once reform 
this state of things? There is a considerable number of intelligent, 
energetic, and excellent citizens, of the different nationalities, in pos- 
session of the elective franchise. They are largely Americanized in 
their opinions and manners. They are sympathetic with American 
institutions. This is so of the Portuguese, the Germans, more or less 
of the English, and of the native Hawaiians and half- whites, as well as 
of the most of those of American parentage. But these unaided and 
alone can not well make the necessary changes in the existing condition 
of things. As a crown colony of Great Britian, or a Territory of the 
United States, the government modifications could be made readily, and 
good administration of the laws secured. Destiny and the vast future 
interests of the United States in the Pacific clearly indicate who, at no 
distant day, must be responsible for the government of these islands. 
Under a territorial government they could be as easily governed as any 
of the existing Territories of the United States. 

The men qualified are here to carry on good government, provided 
they have the support of the Government of the United States. Why 
not postpone American possession ? Would it not be just as well for 
the United States to take the islands twenty-five years hence ? Facts 
and obvious probabilities will answer both of these interrogations. 
Hawaii has reached the parting of the ways. She must now take the 
road which leads to Asia, or the other, which outlets her in America, 
gives her an American civilization and binds her to the care of American 
H. Ex. 48 28 



434 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



destiny. The nonaction of the American Government here in thirty 
years will make of Hawaii a Singapore, or a Hongkong, which could 
be governed as a British colony, but would be unfit to be an American 
Territory or an American State under our constitutional system. If the 
American flag floats here at no distant day, the Asiatic tendencies can 
be arrested and controlled without retarding the material development 
of the islands, but surely advancing their prosperity by diversifying 
and expanding the industries, building roads and bridges, opening the 
public lands to small farmers from Europe and the United States, thus 
increasing the responsible voting population, and constituting a solid 
basis for American methods of government. 

Two-fifths of the people now here are Chinese and Japanese. If the 
present state of things is allowed to go on the Asiatics will soon largely 
preponderate, for the native Hawaii an s are now decreasing at the rate 
of nearly one thousand per year. At the present prices of sugar, and 
at the prices likely to hold in the future, sugar-raising on these islands 
can be continued only by the cheapest possible labor — that of the 
Japanese, the Chinese, and the Indian coolies. Americanize the is- 
lands, assume control of the " crown lands," dispose of them in small 
lots for actual settlers and freeholders for the raising of coffee, oranges, 
lemons, bananas, pineapples, and grapes, and the result soon will be to 
give permanent preponderance to a population and a civilization which 
will make the islands like southern California, and at no distant period 
convert them into gardens and sanitariums, as well as supply stations 
for American commerce, thus bringing everything here into harmony 
with American life and prosperity. To postpone American action 
many years is only to add to present unfavorable tendencies and to 
make future possession more difficult. 

It is proper to consider the following facts : The present Sovereign 
is not expected to live many years. The princess heir apparent has 
always been, and is likely always to be, under English influence. Her 
father is British in blood and prejudices, firmly intrenched here as col- 
lector of customs, an important and influential office. She has been « 
for some years and still is in England; her patron there who has a 
kind of guardianship of her, T. H. Davies, is a Tory Englishman, who 
lived here many years, who still owns large property in the islands, 
and is a resolute and persistent opponent of American predominance, 
bitterly denouncing even the American acquisition of Pearl Harbor. 
Mr. Wodehouse, the English minister, has long resided here 5 his eldest 
son is married to a half-caste sister of the Crown Princess, another son 
is in the Honolulu post-office, and a daughter also is married to a resi- 
dent of one of the islands. The death of the present Queen, therefore, 
would virtually place an English princess, on the Hawaiian throne, 
and put in the hands of the ultra-English the patronage and influence 
of the palace. 

In the existing state of things, with non -American intervention, 
these palace influences, skillfully handled, are nearly equal, frequently 
superior, to the power of the legislature. Add to this palace power, 
in British hands, the influence of an adventurous, impecunious, and 
irresponsible mob of "hoodlums" and there results a state of things 
which would put it in the power of Canadian and ultra-British schem- 
ers, with a subsidy fund of $50,000, to secure control of the legislature, 
and by prompt and vigorous action secure Canadian and British fran- 
chises, privileges, and rights entirely legal, to get rid of which would 
cause embarrassment and expense to the United States and her allies 
here. As is well known to the Department of State, Secretary Marcy, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



435 



with tlie approval of President Pierce and Cabinet, authorized the ne 
gotiation of a treaty for making these islands a Territory of the United 
States. Commissioner Gregg was authorized to facilitate the negotia- 
tion by the promise to pay $100,000 for pensions to the King, chiefs, 
and other official persons, on condition that the sovereignty and prop- 
erty of the islands should be transferred to the United States. 

Commissioner Gregg exceeded his instructions by stipulating to pay, 
in all, three times the sum which Secretary Marcy named in his instruc- 
tions. These terms were deemed onerous and unacceptable by the 
Washington Department of State, and consequently the treaty was 
dropped, after all negotiations had been completed, the King finally 
being induced by his Scotch minister of foreign affairs not to sign it, 
though the King and cabinet had previously given their support to 
the spirit and terms of the negotiations and the conclusions reached. 
The embarrassments and objections that then existed as to the number 
of the royal princes and chiefs, the small number of the American pop- 
ulation, the want of ready communication with the United States, and 
distance from Washington, now no longer stand in the way of making- 
Hawaii a well governed and prosperous United States Territory. The 
reasons for annexation in 1854 were certainly much less adequate and 
pressing, than they are now. 

THE EXISITING BUSINESS STATUS. 

It is well to consider the existing state of things here resulting from 
the change in the United States sugar tariff. Only personal observa- 
tion and a careful investigation of the facts can give an adequate idea 
of the severe blow sugar raised here has received. The production of 
sugar being the main business of the islands, the great reduction of 
" the market price has effected powerfully the entire affairs and condi- 
tion of the islands. I think it underestimating the truth to express the 
opinion that the loss to the owners of the sugar plantations and mills, 
etc., and the consequent depreciation of other property by the passage 
of the McKinley bill, wise and beneficial as that measure is proving to 
be for the vast interests of the United States, has not been less than 
$12,000,000, a large portion of this loss falling on Americans residing 
here and in California, Unless some positive measures of relief be 
granted, the depreciation of sugar property here will continue to go 
on. Wise, bold action of the United States will rescue the property 
holders from great loss, give the islands a government which will put 
an end to a worse than useless expenditure of a large proportion of 
the revenues of the country, using them for the building of roads and 
bridges, thus helping to develop the natural resources of the islands, 
aiding to diversify the industries, and to increase the number of the 
responsible citizens. 

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE % 

One of two courses seem to me absolutely necessary to be followed, 
either bold and vigorous measures for annexation or a "customs 
union," an ocean cable from the Californian coast to Honolulu, Pearl 
Harbor perpetually ceded to the United States, with an implied but 
not necessarily stipulated American protectorate over the islands. I 
believe the former to be the better, that which will prove much the 
more advantageous to the islands, and the cheapest and least embar- 
rassing in the end for the United States. If it was wise for the United 



436 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



States, through Secretary Marcy, thirty-eight years ago, to offer to 
expend $100,000 to secure a treaty of annexation, it certainly can not 
be chimerical or unwise to expend $100,000 to secure annexation in 
the near future. To-day the United States has five times the wealth 
she possessed in 1854, and the reasons now existing for annexation are 
much stronger than they were then. I can not refrain from expressing 
the opinion with emphasis that the golden hour is near at hand. A 
perpetual customs union and the acquisition of Pearl Harbor, with an 
implied protectorate, must be regarded as the only allowable alterna- 
tive. This would require the continual presence in the harbor of 
Honolulu of a United States vessel of war and the constant watchful- 
ness of the United States minister while the present bungling, unset- 
tled, and expensive political rule Avould go on, retarding the develop- 
ment of the. islands, leaving at the end of twenty-five years more 
embarrassment to annexation than exists to-day, the property far less 
valuable, and the population less American than they would be if an- 
nexation were soon realized. 

It may be said that annexation would involve the obligation of pay- 
ing to the Hawaiian Sugar-producers the same rate of bounties now 
paid to American producers, thus imposing too heavy a demand on the 
United States Treasury. It is a sufficient answer to this question to 
say that it could be specifically provided in the terms of annexation 
that the United States Government should pay 6 mills per pound — 
$12 per ton — to the Hawaiian sugar-raisers, and this onty so long as 
the present sugar-bounty system of the United States shall be main- 
tained, Careful inquiry and investigation bring me to the conclusion 
that this small bounty would tide the Hawaiian sugar-planters over 
their present alarming condition and save the islands from general 
business depletion and financial disaster. Could justice to American 
interests in the islands and care for their future welfare do less than 
this? 

To give Hawaii a highly favorable treaty while she remains outside 
the American Union would necessarily give the same advantages to 
hostile foreigners, those who would continue to antagonize our com- 
mercial and political interests here, as' well as those of American blood 
and sympathies. It is a well authenticated fact that the American 
sentiment here in 1890, the last year of the great prosperity under the 
sugar provisions of the reciprocity treaty, was much less manifest than 
before the treaty had gone into effect, and less pronounced than when 
Secretary Marcy authorized the negotiation of the annexation treaty in 
1854. It is equally true that the desire here at this time for annexa- 
tion is much stronger than in 1889. Besides, so long as the islands re- 
tain their own independent government there remains the possibility 
that England or the Canadian Dominion might secure one of the Ha- 
waiian harbors for a coaling station. Annexation excludes all dangers 
of this kind. 

Which of the two lines of policy and action shall be adopted our 
statesmen and our Government must decide. Certain it is that the 
interests of the United States and the welfare of these islands will not 
permit the continuance of the existing state and tendency of things. 
Having for so many years extended a helping hand to the islands and 
encouraging the American residents and their friends at home to the 
extent we have, we can not refrain now from aiding them with vigor- 
ous measures, without injury to ourselves and those of our " kith and 
kin," and without neglecting American opportunities that never 
seemed so obvious and pressing as they do now. I have no doubt that 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



437 



the more thoroughly the bed rock and controlling facts touching the 
Hawaiian problem are understood by our Government and by the 
American public, the more readily they will be inclined to approve the 
views I have expressed so inadequately in this communication. i 
I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

John L. Stevens. 

Hon. John W. Foster, 

Secretary of State, 

I 

Note. — On the following pages will be found statistics from the 1 
Hawaiian census reports of 1890, touching the population, the diiferent 
nationalities, the principal property owners, the amount of Government ' 
revenues and expenditures, Government property, etc., which will kelp j 
educate the views I have expressed in the preceding pages. 

J. L. S. 



NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE. 



LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



Navy Department , 
Washington, December 18, 1893. 

To the President : 

I have the honor to transmit herewith the naval correspondence re 
lating to Hawaiian matters, from March 4, 1889, to the present time. 
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, 

H. A. Herbert, 

Secretary of the Navy. 

441 



NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE. 



Secretary Chandler to Bear-Admiral Batch, 

Navy Department, 

Washington, June 6, 1882-. 
Sir : I inclose for your information a copy of a dispatch from Gen* 
Comfy, United States minister resident at Honolulu, addressed to the 
honorable the Secretary of State, and have to direct that you send one 
of the vessels of your squadron to Honolulu for a reasonable visit, and 
to other ports of the Hawaiian Kingdom, if thought advisable, after 
which you will make such disposition of that vessel as the needs of the 
station may dictate. It is not thought advisable for the flagship to 
leave the west coast of South America at present. You will therefore 
detail the Alaslca or Lackaivanna for the services indicated above. 
Very respectfully, 

Wm. E. Chandler, 
Secretary of the Navy. 

Eear- Admiral George B. Balch, 

Commanding United States Naval Force on Pacific Station, 



Secretary Chandler to Secretary Frelinghuysen. 

Navy Department, 

Washington , June 7, 1882. 
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your confiden- 
tial letter of the 2d instant, and the copy of the dispatch of the 8th 
ultimo, with accompanying papers, from the United States minister 
resident at Honolulu. Instructions have been given Eear- Admiral 
George B. Balch, commanding our naval force in the Pacific, to send 
one of the vessels of the squadron to the Hawaiian Islands, in compli- 
ance with your suggestion. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Wm. E. Chandler, 
Secretary of the Navy. 

Hon. Fredk. T. Frelinghuysen, 

Secretary of State. 

443 



444 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Secretary Chandler to Bear-Admiral Balch. 

Navy Department, 
Washington, October 19, 1882. 

Sir : The coronation of the King of the Hawaiian Islands is fixed 
for the 12th of February next. It is desirable that at least two of our 
vessels of war should go to Honolulu some time previous to that date 
and remain until after the ceremony, and as much longer as may be 
deemed advisable, their movements being governed to a proper extent 
by the opinions and advice of the United States minister. 

You will give the necessary orders to carry these instructions into 
effect. 

Very respectfully, 

Wm. E. Chandler, 
Secretary of the Navy, 
Eear- Admiral George B. Balch, TJ. S. Navy, 

Commanding United States Naval Force on Pacific Station. 



Secretary Chandler to Secretary Frelinghuysen, 

Navy Department, 

Washington, May 3, 1883. 
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 
April 28, transmitting copy of dispatch of April 6 from Mr. Daggett, 
United States minister resident at Honolulu, giving reasons why a 
United States naval vessel should at all times remain within the limits 
of the Hawaiian Kingdom. In reply, I have to say that this Depart- 
ment, while unable to keep a vessel constantly at Honolulu, will give 
such directions as to insure one of its vessels visiting Honolulu at as 
frequent intervals as practicable. 

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Wm. E. Chandler, 
Secretary of the Navy. 

Hon. Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, 

Secretary of State, 



[Cablegram.] 

June 24, 1887. 

American Consul, Panama. 
(Via Galveston.) 

Wire Kimberly deemed advisable he go Sandwich Islands in near 
future. Adams instructed await his arrival. 

Whitney. 



Secretary Whitney to Commander-in-Chief, United States Naval Force, 

Pacific Station. 

July 12, 1887. 

Sir: In view of the reported unsettled condition of political affairs 
in the Hawaiian Kingdom, the Department is very desirous that there 
should be a cordial and cooperative understanding between our min 
ister at Honolulu and the commanding officer of the naval force on 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



445 



the Pacific station. The Department of State will indicate to the 
minister the policy which it is desirable to be observed, and in order 
that the views of our Government may be discreetly ami properly 
sustained, you will be pleased to keep yourself in constant communi- 
cation with Mr. Morrill, supporting him if necessary with the available 
force under your command. 
Yery respectfully, 

W. C. Whitney, 

Secretary of the Navy. 

The Commander-in-Chief, 

United States Naval Force, Pacific Station. 



Acting Secretary Harmony to Rear -Admiral Kimberly. 

Navy Department, 
Washington, November 11, 1887. 
Sir: Under the late treaty between this Government and that of 
the Hawaiian Islands the United States has acquired certain rights in 
Pearl Harbor, Island of Oahu. For the present it is deemed advisable 
for such ships of your squadron as practicable to remain at the Sand- 
wich Islands. While there you will be pleased to have Pearl Harbor 
examined, particularly at the entrance, the extent of artificial channel 
which it will be necessary to cut and the best point for such work de- 
termined, and an estimate made of its cost. At the same" time you will 
procure as full information as possible with regard to the rights of pri- 
vate individuals in Pearl Harbor, together with any other information 
bearing upon the general subject that you may be able to collect, and 
forward the whole to the Navy Department for the information of this 
Government. 

The Marion, now at Panama, has been ordered to touch, at various 
Central American and Mexican ports as far north as Acapulco, from 
which point she is to proceed to the Sandwich Islands to remain a rea- 
sonable time before proceeding to Yokohama to report for duty on the 
Asiatic station. Similar orders will probably be issued to the Omaha 
in March next. 

Yery respectfully, 

D. B. Harmony, 
Acting Secretary of the Navy. 
Bear- Admiral L. A. Kimberly, U. S. Navy, 

Commanding United States Force on Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. 



Secretary Tracy to Bear-Admiral Kimberly. 

Navy Department, September 13, 1889. 
Sir : The Department incloses herewith, for your information, a copy 
of a cipher message sent you yesterday by wire, through the United 
States consul at Auckland, N. Z. 
Yery respectfully, 

B. F. Tracy, 
Secretary of the Navy. 

Rear- Admiral L. A. Kimberly, U. S. Navy, 

Commanding U. S. Naval Force on Pacific Station, Apia, Samoa. 



446 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Secretary Tracy to Rear -Admiral Kimberly. 

Navy Department, November 13, 1889. 

Sir:' Referring to your letter, No. 165, of the 18th ultimo, with refer- 
ence to the political situation in the Hawaiian Islands, and in which 
you state that "it would promote a feeling of security to our own peo- 
ple, and I think to other foreigners, if at the February election we had 
a force here competent to preserve order should necessity arise," the 
Department directs that you will keep us many of the vessels of your 
command in Hawaiian waters as you may deem expedient for the pur- 
pose of carrying out the object in view. 

A copy of a letter from the Honorable the Secretary of State, con- 
curring in your opinion as to the desirability of such action, is inclosed 
herewith for your information. 
Yery respectfully, 

B. F. Tracy, 
Secretary of the Navy. 

Rear- Admiral L. A. Kimberly, 

Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station. 



Secretary Tracy to Admiral Brown. 

Navy Department, 

Washington, May 15, 1890. 
Sir: The Department deems it advisable that you give up, for the 
present, your projected cruise along the coast of Central and South 
America," and that you proceed, without delay, to the Sandwich Islands. 

Inclosed are copies of two confidential papers received from the State 
Department, which will inform you of matters that need your consider- 
ation. 

The Department desires that you will carefully study the situation 
at these islands, and relies upon your discretion in looking after our 
interests. Any change of policy on the part of the Hawaiian Govern- 
ment, or any matter which may affect the policy of this Government, 
should be immediately reported. 
Yery respectfully, 

B. F. Tracy. 



[Inclosures.] 

Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. Confidential letter (No. 20), United States legation, 
Honolulu. March 20, 1890. 
Mr. Cleghorn to Mr. Damon. Letter, Honolulu, March 13, 1890. 



Secretary Tracy to Admiral Brown. 

Washington, June 20, 1890. 
Sir : The Department has received your letter 203, of the 5th instant, 
and has to say that your interpretation of its order of the 15th ultimo 
to remain in Hawaiian waters until further instructed is correct. 
Very respectfully, 

B. F, Tracy. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 447 
Secretary Tracy to commanding officer Mohican. 

[Telegram.] 

Washington, August 23, 1890. 

Shepard, 

American Steamer Mohican, 

Sydney, Australia. 

Go to Honolulu. 

Tracy. 



Secretary Tracy to Admiral Broion. 

[Telegram.] 

Washington, A ugust 27, 1890. 

Admiral Brown, 

Flagship Charleston, 

Seattle, Wash.: 

Proceed with all dispatch to Honolulu, Hawaii. Keep your move- 
ments and intentions secret. 

Tracy. 



Commodore Ramsay to Admiral Broion. 

Washington, January 20, 1891. 

Sir : The following telegram was sent you yesterday : 

Admiral Brown, 

Flagship Charleston, 

Mare Island, Col,: 
Within how many hours can you sail for Honolulu, Hawaii? 

Tracy. 

Yery respectfully, 

F. M. Eamsay, 

Chief of Bureau. 



Secretary Tracy to Admiral Brown. 

[Telegram.] 

Washington, January 21, 1891. 

Eear Admiral Brown, 

Flagship Charleston, San Francisco, Gal: 
San Francisco Examiner requests authority to send out reporter to 
Honolulu in Charleston. If one representative will satisfy San Fran- 
cisco press, you may take if agreeable. Act as you think best. 

Tracy. 



448 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Secretary Tracy to Admiral Broivn. 

[Telegram,] 

Washington, January 21, 1801. 

Bear -Admiral George Brown, 

Flagship Charleston, San Francisco, Gal: 
When King of Hawaii's funeral takes place? It is very important 
you sail as soon as possible. 

Tracy* 



Secretary Tracy to Admiral Brown. 

Washington, January 22, 1891. 

Eear Admiral George Brown, 

Flagship Charleston, San Francisco, Col: 
It is important to reach Honolulu, Hawaii, as soon as possible ; full 
speed. 

Tracy. 



Secretary Tracy to Admiral Broivn. 

[Telegram.] 

WASHINGTON, January 24, 1891. 
Will remain until further orders at Honolulu, unless affairs are set- 
tled and absolutely safe. 

£racy. 



Secretary Tracy to Bear-Admiral Brown. 

March 11, 1891. 

Sir : Referring to your dispatches Noel 37, 39, 50, and 54, in which you 
give a detailed account of the services rendered by you and the 
officers and men under your command, in connection with the funeral 
of the late Hawaiian King and the ceremonies attending the accession 
to the throne of his successor, Queen Liliuokalani, the Department 
desires to express to you its high appreciation of the thorough and 
efficient manner in which the delicate and responsible duties connected 
with those events have been performed. 



Acting Secretary Ramsay to Bear- Admiral Brown. 

March 25, 1891. 

Sir: The Department incloses a copy of a telegram received this 
day from Mr. de Young, of the San Francisco Chronicle, and desires a 
full explanation of your action in connection with the cipher telegram 
sent you January 21 last, which was as follows: 

The San Francisco Examiner requests authority to send out reporters to Honolulu, 
Hawaiian Islands, in the Charleston. If one representative will satisfy the San 
Francisco press, yon may take, if agreeable. Do as you think best. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



449 



Secretary Tracy to Commanding Officer Iroquois. 

June 26, 1891. 

Proceed to Samoa as early as you can conveniently, unless in your 
opinion it is not advisable to leave Sandwich. Islands at present time 
without a ship of war. 



Secretary Tracy to Commander-in-Chief Pacific Station. 

September 8, 1891. 
Sie : You are informed that the U. S. S. Pensacola has been attached 
to the Pacific Station under your command. The following orders were 
telegraphed to her commanding officer on the 7th instant: 

Proceed to Honolulu, Hawaii, and guard American interests in that vicinity until 
further instructed. Report to Brown by letter. 



Secretary Tracy to Commanding Officer Boston. 

Washington, July 15, 1892. 
Sir : As soon as the TJ. S. S. Boston is in all respects ready for sea, 
proceed with her to Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, and report to the 
Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Station. 
Eespectfully, 

B. F. Tracy. 



Acting Secretary Soley to Commanding Officer Boston. 

[Telegram.] 

Washington, August 16, 1892. 

Commanding Officer Steamer Boston, 

Through Commandant, Navy Yard, Mare Island, Cat.: 
Upon your arrival at Honolulu deliver following telegram : 

Stevens, 

United States Minister, Honolulu : 
If you have not already done so, prepare report on annexation of Johnson's Island 
by British steamer Champion, with statement of history, occupancy by American 
comers, and any adverse claims thereto. 

Foster. 

Acknowledge receipt. 

James E. Soley. 



Commodore Ramsay to Commanding Officer Boston. 

[Telegram.] 

Washington, Sept. 2, 1892. 
Commanding Officer Steamer Boston, Honolulu, H. I. 

(Care Navy Pay Office, San Francisco, Cal.) 
Should A lliance, arrive at Honolulu, order her to remain there and 
proceed with Boston to San Francisco. 

EAMSAY. 

H. Ex. 48 29 



450 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Commodore Ramsay to Admiral Harmony, 

[Telegram.] 

Washington, September 2, 1892. 

Harmony, 

Steamer Lancaster, Yokohama, Japan: 

Order Alliance to stop at Honolulu. 

Eamsay. 



Commodore Ramsay to Admiral Brown, 

[Telegram.] 

Washington, September 13, 1892, 

Eear-Admiral Brown, 

Steamer San Francisco, 

Mare Island, Cal, : 

Commandant directed to have Alliance ready for sea without delay 
and to order her to report to you. She will be attached to your squad- 
ron. Department wants her to go at once to Honolulu and relieve Bos- 
ton, Eeport when Alliance can sail. 

Eamsay. 



Commodore Ramsay to Admiral Brown, 

[Telegram.] 

Washington, September 15, 1892, 

Eear-Admiral Brown, 

Steamer San Francisco, 

Navy-yard, Mare Island, Cal.: 
Department does not desire Boston to leave Honolulu until Alliance 
arrives. Commander Barclay will go by steamer to Honolulu to relieve 
Eich. 

Eamsay. 



Commodore Ramsay to Admiral Brown, 

[Telegram.] 

Washington, September 21, 1892. 

Eear-Admiral Brown, 

Steamer San Francisco, Mare Island, Cal.: 
Order Alliance to proceed with dispatch to Honolulu. Order Boston 
upon arrival of Alliance to proceed to Acapulco. 

Eamsay. 



Secretary Tracy to Admiral Brown. 

Washington, September 28, 1892. 
Commanding Officer Steamer Boston, Honolulu, 

(Care Navy Pay Office, San Francisco, Cal.:) 
Eemain at Honolulu until further orders, 

Tracy. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 451 
Secretary Tracy to commanding officer Alliance, 

[Telegram.] 

October 11, 1892. 

Commanding Officer U. S, 8. Alliance : 

(Care Xavy Pay Office, San Francisco, Oal.) 
Orders to Samoa revoked. Kemain at Honolulu until further orders. 

Tracy. 



Secretary Tracy to Admiral Sherrett, 

[Telegram.] 

January 28, 1893. 

Admiral Skerrett, 

Flagship Moh ican : 

(Through commandant navy-yard, Mare Island, Oal.) 
When the Mohican is ready for sea proceed with her to Honolulu 
with all dispatch. The present Provisional Government of Hawaii is 
recognized by this Government and by all foreign governments except 
England. Be vigilant in protecting American interests and be pre- 
pared to meet any danger by which such interests may be threatened. 
Deliver to Minister Stevens, Honolulu, the following dispatch from the 
State Department. 



Secretary Foster to Mr. Stevens, 
[Telegram.] 

John L. Stevens, 

United States Minister, Honolulu: 
Your dispatch, telegraphed from San Francisco, announcing revolution and estab- 
lishment of a provisional government, was received to-day. Your course in recog- 
nizing an unopposed de-facto government appears to have been discreet and in 
accordance with the facts. The rule of this Government has uniformly been to 
recognize and enter into relations with any actual government in full possession of 
effective power with the assent of the people. You will continue to recognize the 
new government under such conditions. It is trusted that the change, besides con- 
ducing to the tranquility and welfare of the Hawaiian Islands, will tend to draw 
closer the intimate ties of amity and common interests which so conspicuously and 
necessarily link them to the United States. You will keep in constant communica- 
tion with the commander of the United States naval force at Honolulu, with a view 
to acting, if need be 3 for the protection of the interests and property of American 
citizens, and aiding in the preservation of good order under the changed conditions 
reported. 

John W. Foster. 



Acknowledge receipt of the above. 



B. F. Tracy. 



452 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Secretary Tracy to Bear- Admiral Skerrett. 

[Telegram.] 

February 14, 1893. 

Bear- Admiral Skerrett, 

United States Steamer Mohican, Honolulu, Ha waii: 
(Through Pay Inspector Lyon, Navy Pay Office, San Francisco, Oal.) 

The following- is a copy of a telegram, dated February 14, from the 
Secretary of State to the United States minister at Honolulu, which is 
transmitted for your information and guidance : 

Your telegram of the 1st instant has been received, with coincident report from 
commander of the Boston. Press telegrams from San Francisco give full details of 
events of 1st instant, with text of your proclamation. The latter, in announcing 
assumption of protection of the Hawaiian Islands in the name of the United States, 
would seem to be tantamount to the assumption of a protectorate over those 
islands on behalf of the United States, with all the rights and obligations which 
the term implies. It is not thought, however, that the request of the Provisional 
Government for protection, or your action in compliance therewith, contemplated 
more than the cooperation of the moral and material forces of the United States to 
strengthen the authority of the Provisional Government by according to it adequate 
protection for life and property during the negotiations instituted here, and with- 
out interfering with the execution of public affairs. Such cooperation was and is 
within your standing instructions and those of the naval commanders in Hawaiian 
waters. 

So far as your course accords to the de facto sovereign government the material co- 
operation of the United States for the maintenance of good order and protection of 
life and property from apprehended disorders, it is commended ; but so far as it may 
appear to overstep that limit by setting the authority of the United States above 
that of the Hawaiian Government, in the capacity of protector, or to impair the in- 
dependent sovereignity of that Government by substituting the flag and power of the 
United States, it is disavowed. 

Instructions will be sent to naval commanders, confirming and renewing those 
heretofore given them, under which they are authorized and directed to cooperate 
with you in case of need. Your own instructions are likewise renewed and you are 
accordingly authorized to arrange with the commanding officer for the continued 
presence on shore of such marine force as may be practicable and requsite for the 
security of the lives and property interests of American citizens and the repression of 
lawlessness threatening them whenever in your judgment it shall be necessary so to 
do, or when such cooperation may be sought for good cause by the Government of 
the Hawaiian Islands; being, however, always careful to distinguish between these 
functions of voluntary or accorded protection and the assumption of a protectorate 
over the Government of the Hawaiian Islands, which the United States have recog- 
nized as sovereign and with which they treat on terms of sovereign equality. 

(Signed) John W. Foster. 

B. F. Tracy, 
Secretary of the Navy. 



Secretary Tracy to Commander in Chief Pacific Station. 

February 14, 1893. 
Sir : I have to transmit, for your information and guidauce, a copy 
of a letter from the honorable Secretary of State to the United States 
minister at Honolulu, dated February 11, 1893. 
Very respectfully, 

B. F. Tracy, 
Secretary of the Navy. 

Commander in chief Pacific Station, 

Honolulu^ Hawaiian Islands. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



453 



[Inclosure.] 

Department oe State, 

Washington, February 11, 1893. 
Sir: Your cipher telegram, dated the 1st instant, and transmitted through the 
Navy Department's good offices, was received here at 4:30 p. m. on the 9th instant. 
Yon therein make the following important statement: 

"To-day at 9 a. m., in accordance with the request of the Provisional Government 
of Hawaii, I have placed Government of Hawaii under the United States protection 
during negotiations, not interfering with the execution of public affairs." 

The precise character and scope of the act thus announced by you do not appear 
from this brief recital. The press, however, prints full details of the occurences of 
the 4st instant, as telegraphed from San Francisco on the arrival of the mail steamer 
Australia at that port on the morning of the 9th, and I therein find what purports, 
with appearance of general correctness, to be the text of the proclamation issued by 
you on the 1st instant, which reads as follows : 

"By authority of the Hawaiian people: 

" At the request of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, I hereby, 
in the name of the United States of America, assume protection of the Hawaiian 
Islands for the protection of life and property, and occupation of the public build- 
ings and Hawaiian soil, so far as may be necessary for the purpose specified, but not 
interfering with t he administration of public affairs by the Provisional Govern- 
ment. This action is taken pending and subject to negotiations at Washington. 

"John L. Stevens, 
"Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. 

" United States Legation, February 1, 1893. 
"Approved and executed by G. C. Wiltse, captain, U. S. Navy, commanding 
U. S. S. Boston." 

The manner and degree of the execution of your proclamation by the naval force 
are not related with particularity in a brief telegraphic report just received from 
Capt. Wiltse. He merely says: 

" To-day, at 9 a. m., in accordance with request of Provisional Government of 
Hawaii, the United States minister plenipotentiary placed the Government of Hawaii 
under United States protection, during negotiations, not interfering with the execu- 
tion of public affairs." 

It appears from the press reports that the ceremonial for the execution of your 
orders consisted in the landing of a battalion from the Boston, its formation at the 
Government building in concert with three volunteer companies of the Provisional 
Government, the reading of your proclamation by Lieut. Rush, and the hoisting of 
the United States flag over the Government building. The Hawaiian flag on other 
public buildings in Honolulu is stated not to have been disturbed. 

The phraseology of your proclamation in announcing your action in assumption 
of protection of the Hawaiian Islands in the name of the United States would 
appear to be tantamount to the assumption of a protectorate over those islands in 
behalf of the United States with all the right and obligations which the term implies. 
To this extent it goes beyond the necessities of the situation, and the instructions 
heretofore given you. 

Your existing instructions and those under which the commanders of naval ves- 
sels of the United States acted were and are ample to provide all legitimate mate- 
rial protection in case of need, either in your discretion or at the request of the duly- 
constituted authorities of the Hawaiian Islands, for the lives and property of Amer- 
ican citizens endangered or menaced or for the prevention of lawless and tumul- 
tuous acts of disturbance of the public peace and safety. The accordance of such 
measures of protection or the unsolicitated taking of the needful precautions to 
those ends is, however, not to be confounded with the establishment of a protector- 
ate, which is in fact the positive erection of a paramount authority over or in place 
' of the duly- constituted local government, and the assumption by the protector of 
the especial responsibilities attached to such formal protection. 

It is not thought probable that the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian 
Islands, in solicitating protection, contemplated more than the cooperation of the 
moral and material forces of the United States to strengthen its own authority and 
power, as a recognized sovereign government, for the protection of life and prop- 
erty, as stated in your proclamation. Such a degree of protection you were, as I 
have said already, fully competent to accord, or to exercise in your discretion, in 
case of need. 

Your proclamation expresses no reservation as to confirmation of your action by 
the Government of the United States. 



454 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Its provisos are that the assumed function of protection is to he exercised so far 
as may be necessary for the specified purpose of protecting life and property without 
interference with the administration of public affairs by the Provisional Govern- 
ment, and that the action in question " is taken pending and subject to negotiations 
at Washington." 

These qualifications are entirely in the line of my views of the scope and intent of 
the request made to you by the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 
The omission of reference to the necessary sanction of the Government of the United 
States is immaterial, for its function of revision and confirmation or disavowal of 
the acts of its agents is inherent and exercisable at its discretion. 

So far, therefore, as your action amounts to according, at the request of the de 
facto sovereign Government of the Hawaiian Islands, the cooperation of the moral 
and material forces of the United States for the protection of life and property from 
apprehended disorders, your action is commended. But so far as it may appear to 
overstep that limit by setting the authority and power of the United States above 
that of the Government of the Hawaiian Islands in the capacity of protector, or to 
impair in any way the independent sovereignty of the Hawaiian Government by 
substituting the flag and power of the United States as the symbol and manifesta- 
tion of paramount authority, it is disavowed. 

Instructions will be sent to the commanding officers of the United States naval 
forces in the Hawaiian Islands confirming and renewing the instruction heretofore 
given them under which they are authorized and directed to cooperate with you for 
the preservation of American life and property and the maintenance of good order 
in case of need. Your own instructions in the same sense are continued. You are 
accordingly authorized, upon receipt of these instructions, to arrange with the 
commanding naval officer for the continued presence on shore of such marine force 
as may be practicable and requisite for the security of the lives and property 
interests of the citizens of the United States and the repression of lawlessness and. 
public disturbance threatening them whenever in your judgment it shall be neces- 
sary so to do, or when such cooperative measures may be sought for good cause by 
the Government of the Hawaiian Islands; being, however, always careful to mate 
due discrimination between those functions of voluntary or accorded protection 
and the assumption of a protectorate over the Hawaiian Islands by the United 
States. 

No step should be taken by you or will be sanctioned by this Government which 
might tend to derogate in any way from the independence of the Government of the 
Hawaiian Islands, which the United States have recognized as sovereign and with 
which they treat on terms of sovereign equality. 

A telegraphic instruction, briefly outlining the substance of this dispatch, will be 
sent to you, by way of San Francisco, by the mail steamer sailing from that port on 
the 15th instant. 

I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

John W. Fostbk. 

John L. Stevens, 

Etc., Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. 



Commodore Ramsay to commanding officer Boston, 

February 17, 1893. 
Sir: The vessel under your cominaud is detached from the squad- 
ron for special service and assigned to duty on the Pacific Station. 

Report by letter to Rear- Admiral Joseph S. Skerrett, U. S. Navy, 
the Commander-in-Chief. 
Very respectfully, 

F. M. Ramsay, 
Chief of Bureau. 

Commanding Officer U. S. S. Boston, 

Honolulu, Hawaii, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



455 



Secretary Herbert to Hear -Admiral Skerrett. 

March 11, 1893. 

Sir : This letter will be handed to you by the Hon. James H. Blount, 
Special Commissioner from the President of the United States to the 
Government of the Hawaiian Islands. 

You will consult freely with Mr. Blount, and will obey any instruc- 
tions you may receive from him regarding the course to be pursued at 
said islands by the force under your command. 

You will also afford Mr. Blount all such facilities as he may desire 
for the use of your cipher code in communicating by telegraph with this 
Government. 

Bespectfully, 

Hilary A. Herbert, 
Secretary of the Navy, 

Bear-Admiral J. S. Skerrett, 

Commander in Chief United States Naval Forces, 

Pacific Station, Flagship Mohican, Honolulu, H. I. 



Secretary Herbert to Bear-Admiral Skerrett. 

[Telegram.] 



Bear- Admiral Skerrett, 



April 8, 1893. 



Honolulu, PL. I. 



(Care Navy Pay Office, San Francisco, Cal.): 
Have Mohican ready for service in Bering Sea. Adams will be sent 
to Honolulu. Shift your flag to such vessel as you deem proper. 

Herbert. 



Acting Secretary McAdoo to Commander in Chief Pacific Station. 

May 10, 1893. 

Sir: Beplying to your letter of the 25th ultimo, reporting the politi- 
cal condition of affairs at Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, I have to invite 
your attention ttf paragraphs 9 and 10, article 1607, of the U. S. Navy 
Begulations, 1893. 

The Department regrets the necessity which caused the detail of 
the Mohican for duty in Bering Sea, and will send a suitable flagship 
to the station under your command as soon as practicable. 

There is no appropriation that can be drawn upon to pay the rent of 
a room on shore to be used as your office. 
Yery respectfully, 

W. McAdoo, 
Acting Secretary of the Navy. 

Commander in Chief Pacific Station, 

(Care of Navy Pay Office, San Francisco, Cal.) 



456 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



[Translation of cipher dispatch,] 

Secretary Herbert to Pay Inspector Lyons. 

Navy Pay Office, 
San Francisco, August 16, 1893. 

Pay Inspector Lyon, 

Navy Pay Office, San Francisco, Gal. : 
Send following message to Admiral Skerrett, Honolulu, by first mail: 
I desire to impress upon you in the absence of United States Minis- 
ter Blount that your sole duty is confined to that of an officer of the 
Navy, although it is to be performed in the spirit of the instructions 
of Minister Blount, which doubtless have been seen by you. Protect 
American citizens and American property, but do not give aid, physi- 
cal or moral, to either party contending for the government of Hono- 
lulu. 

Herbert. 



Secretary Herbert to Commander in Chief Pacific Station. 

August 18, 1893. 
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that the U. S. S. Philadelphia 
has to-day been ordered by cable to proceed from Callao, Peru, to 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, and there report to you. 

Upon the arrival of the Philadelphia you will please order the U. S. 
S. Boston to the navy-yard, Mare Island, Cal., to be docked. 

A cipher telegram to the same effect as this letter was sent to you 
to-day through U. S. Navy Pay Office, at San Francisco. 
Very respectfully, 

H. A. Herbert, 
Secretary of the Navy. 

Commander in Chief 

U. S. Naval Force on Pacific Station, 

United States Flagship Boston, Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. 



[Translation of cipher dispatch.] 

Secretary Herbert to Bear-Admiral Skerrett. 

September 27, 1893. 
Yours September 12 received. My instructions misconstrued. You 
will afford to British subjects and property such protection as has 
always been accorded by vessels of American fleets to the subjects of 
Her Britannic Majesty and their property under like circumstances in 
the absence of British vessels. 

Herbert. 

Bear- Admiral Skerrett. 
(Care Pay Inspector Lyons, Navy Pay Office, San Francisco, Cal.) 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



457 



[Translation of cipher dispatch.] 

Secretary Herbert to Bear -Admiral Skerrett. 

[Confidential.] 

October 9, 1893. 
Transfer flag to the Boston at San Francisco. Proceed to San Fran- 
cisco with personal staff' by first mail steamer practicable. It is the 
intention of the Department to transfer you to command Asiatic Station. 

Herbert. 

Admiral Skerrett, 

(Care Navy Pay Office, San Francisco.) 



[Translation of cipher dispatch.] 

Secretary Herbert to Bear-Admiral Irwin, 

[Confidential.] 

October 10, 1893. 
Ton are relieved of command of naval* force on Asiatic Station on 
October 27. Proceed with personal staff by mail steamer leaving Yoko- 1 
hania, Japan, on October 27, to Honolulu, Hawaii Islands, hoist flag 
on board the Philadelphia, and assume command of naval force on 
the Pacific Station. 

Herbert. 

Admiral Irwin, 

Yokohama, 



Mr. Stevens to Captain Wiltse, 

United States Legation, 

Honolulu, January 16, 1893. 
Sir: In view of existing critical circumstances in Honolulu, indicat- 
ing an inadequate legal force, I request you to land marines and sail- 
ors from the ship under your command for the protection of the United 
States legation and the United States consulate, and to secure the 
safety of American life and property. 
Yours truly, 

John L. Stevens, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary 

of the United States. 

Capt. G. 0. Wiltse. 



Capt. Wiltse to Executive Officer U. S. S. Boston, 

U. S. S. Boston, Second Eate, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January, 16, 1893. 
Sir: You will take command of the battalion and land in Honolulu 
for the purpose of protecting our legation, consulate, and the lives 
and property of American citizens, and to assist in preserving public 
order. 



458 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Great prudence must be exercised by both officers and men, and no 
action taken that is not fully warranted by the condition of affairs, and 
by the conduct of those who may be inimical to the treaty rights of 
American citizens. 

You will inform me at the earliest practicable moment of any change 
in the situation. 

Very respectfully, 

G. C. Wiltse, 
Captain, TJ. S. Navy, Commanding TJ. S. S, Boston. 
Lieut. Commander W. T. Swinburne, 

Executive Officer TJ. S. S. Boston. 



Mr. Stevens to Captain Wiltse. 

United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 1, 1893. 

Sir: The Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands having 
duly and officially expressed to the undersigned the fear that said 
Government may be unable to protect life and property, and to prevent 
civil disorder in Honolulu, the capital of said Hawaiian Islands, 
request that the flag of the United States may be raised, for the protec- 
tion of the Ha waiian Islands, and to that end confer on the United 
States, through the undersigned, freedom of occupation of the public 
buildings of the Hawaiian Government and the soil of the Hawaiian 
Islands, so far as may be necessary for the exercise of such protection, 
but not interfering with the administration of the public affairs, by 
said Provisional Government. 

I hereby ask you to comply with the spirit and terms of the request 
of the Hawaiian Government, and to that end to use all the force at 
your command, in the exercise of your best judgment and discretion, 
you and myself awaiting instructions from the United States Govern- 
ment at Washington. 

I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

John L. Stevens, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. 
Captain G. C. Wiltse, 

Commander of the TJ. 8. Ship Boston. 



Capt. Wiltse to Executive Officer TJ. S. S. Boston. 

U. S. S. Boston, Second Rate, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, February 1, 1893. 
Sir : You will take possession of the Government building and the 
American flag will be hoisted over it at 9 a. m. 
Very' respectfully, 

G. C. Wiltse, 
Captain, TJ. S. Navy, Commanding TJ. S. S. Boston. 
Lieut. Commander W. T. Swinburne, 

Commanding Battalion, TJ. S. S. Boston. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



459 



Bear- Admiral Slcerrett to Secretary Herbert. 

U. S. S. Mohican, Flagship of the Pacific Station, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, April 6, 1893. 
Sir: Since my last of the 29th ultimo, I have to inform the Depart 
ment of the arrival, after closing- my mail on that clay, of the IT. S. E. S. 
Richard Rush, having on board Special United States Commissioner 
J. H. Blount. On March 31 I was called by Mr. Blount for a special 
interview, on which occasion, by his directions, I was ordered to with- 
draw the Boston' 's force from the shore, and at 11 a. m. on April 1 to 
haul down the United States flag from the Government building, which 
was to be replaced by the Provisional Government hoisting the 
Hawaiian flag. These orders were promptly executed as directed. 
There was not the remotest evidence shown, by the crowd of natives 
and others about the Government building, of any feeling; no demon- 
stration of any description. Since which time, by the advice of Mr. 
Blount, the guard that had been placed at the United States Legation 
was allowed to be returned to that place. This was done to quiet the 
apprehensions of Minister Stevens. There has been no turmoil of any 
description on shore; peace and quiet have reigned throughout. The 
cadets will leave by this steamer, and are ordered to report arrival on 
reaching San Francisco. The U. S. E. S. Richard Rush left for San 
Diego on the 5th instant; after I had had her supplied with 80 (eighty) 
tons of coal from the Government coal pile. 

Political affairs remain as formerly stated. I would further state 
that the Boston's force was before its withdrawal from shore relieved at 
the Government building by one (1) company of the Provisional Gov- 
ernment's troops. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. SKEBEETT, 
Rear Admiral U. S. Navy, Commanding 
U. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Commander Woodward to the Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. S: Adams (Third Bate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, July 27, 1889. 

Sir: On arriving in this port July 1 I made a hurried report on 
account of the mail leaving so soon after. I will now report that I 
found in the harbor, besides the U. S. S. Alert, H. B. M. S. Espiegle 
and the Chilean corvette Pilcomayo. The official visits were exchanged. 
I called on the United States minister resident and consul-general; 
also oh the minister of foreign affairs, Hawaii. 

On Monday, July 8, the U. S. S. Alert went to sea to Fanning Island 
to convoy the U. S. S. Nipsic into this port; on the same day H. B. M. 
S. Espiegle went to sea for a cruise among the islands. -On Wednes- 
day, July 10, the Chilean corvette Pilcomayo went to sea bound for 
Vancouver, thence for San Francisco, leaving the Adams the only man- 
of-war in port. 

On July 7 I received your order, through Commodore Benham, com- 
mandant Mare Island, to proceed with the Adams to Apia, Samoa. 



460 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



I commenced preparations for sea, filling tip with coal, and putting 
25 tons on deck. On the morning of the 9th Passed Assistant Surgeon 
Marsteller was reported as being very sick. I allowed him to go on 
shore for medical treatment, the Adams having only one medical officer 
on board. Thursday, the 11th, coal was all on board, and Friday the 
ship was ready for sea, but the doctor was still sick. 

On Saturday I requested a survey of three reputable doctors on shore, 
and on Sunday, the 14th, they reported to me in writing that the con- 
dition of Dr. Marsteller was such that he ought not to go out on the 
ship, that he was suffering from broncho-pneumonia, and it might be 
three weeks before he was able to be about. 

Not feeling myself justifiable in proceeding to sea, especially on such 
a cruise, without a doctor on board, I inquired about hiring one from 
the city, and not feeling sure of the standing of the only person that 
offered service, and knowing that the Alert and Nipsic would arrive in 
a week or ten days, I concluded I would be justified in waiting and 
transferring a doctor from one of those vessels and then proceeding to 
carry out my orders, which had not specified any particular hurry for 
the Adams to be at Apia. 

On Wednesday, the 17th, I received a communication from the 
minister resident, desiring to see me. He informed me that he had 
been notified by the minister of foreign affairs that there was a plot 
on foot to make some disturbance when the Adams should leave, as 
then there would be no man-of-war in port, and that if I could delay 
the departure of the Adams until the arrival of H. B. M. S. Espiegle 
he thought the affair would fall through, but that he did not deem it 
well- for all the vessels to leave just at present. I informed him that I 
could not well leave on account of the condition of the doctor, and so 
it was fortunate I had concluded to remain. 

On the 18th His Majesty notified me that he would receive myself 
and officers on Friday, the 19th, at Merid, and at that time we were 
presented. 

On the 22nd H. B. M. S. Espiegle arrived in port from a cruise among 
the Islands. Paid the usual calls; also dressed ship, Chinese flag at 
the main, in honor of the Emperor's birthday, at the request of the 
Chinese legation. 

On the 26th the steamer Australia arrived; also steamer Mariposa 
from Sydney. No mail. 

The doctor continues sick, and as soon as the Alert arrives I will 
transfer Dr. Green to this ship and proceed to obey my orders. 

H. B. M. S. Espiegle sails to-day under sealed orders. 

I attach correspondence from minister and report of medical survey. 
Very respectfully, 

E. T. Woodward, 
Commander, Commanding. 

Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 
"Washington, D. C. 



Commander J. G. Green to Secretary of the Navy. 

IT. S. S. Alert (Third Eate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, A ugust 6, 1889. 
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that this vessel and the Nipsic 
arrived here on the 2d instant, from Fanning Island, which place I left 
on the 24th of July, as soon as the coal which I shipped from here on 
July 6 was received. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



461 



I left here on July 8, arriving at Fanning Tsland on the 14th. 

In accordance with my instructions, I have made arrangements to 
repair the Wipsic sufficiently to enable her to continue her voyage to 
San Francisco in safety. She is taking out all possible weight pre- 
paratory to hauling out on the marine railway, which she expects to 
do on the 8th or 9th instant, when a temporary sternpost and rudder 
will be attached, and new propeller put on, which is here. 

Her stern will be refastened, and a temporary keel put on, if prac- 
ticable. 

I estimate that the necessary repairs will take a month or six weeks, 
but I will forward the work with all possible dispatch. . 

Affairs at Honolulu are quiet and no further trouble is apprehended. 

I inclose slips cut from the official paper, which show the present 
relations between the King and cabinet, and every one seems to feel 
that the prospect of future peace is better than for a year past. 

The only men-of-war in port are the Nipsic and ourselves. The 
French flag ship Duquesne, bearing the flag of Admiral Lefevre, arrived 
from San Francisco on the 4th, and is anchored outside. She leaves 
for Tahiti on the 8th. 

The Adams sailed for Samoa on the 4th instant. 

The health of this ship's company and the Nipsic is excellent. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Jas. G. Green, 

Commander, U. S. Navy, Commanding and Senior Officer Present. 

Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Washington, D. C, 



Paymaster Goldsborough to Secretary of the Navy. 

[Telegram.] 

San Francisco, August 9, 1889. 
Unsuccessful revolution at Honolulu. The Adams landed men for 
protection of the United States Consulate and American citizens. The 
Alert and Nlpsic arrived the day the Austria sailed. All well. Lead- 
ers of the revolution are prisoners. No further trouble. 

W. Goldsborough. 



Acting Secretary of State to Secretary of the Navy. 

Washington, August 12, 1889. 

Sir : I have the honor to transmit, for your information, a copy of 
a telegram from our minister at Honolulu, touching an insurrection 
there on the 30th ultimo, and the landing of men from the U. S. S. 
Adams to protect lives and property. 

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 

J. B. Moore. 



462 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



[Inclosure.] 

Honolulu, August 2, 1889. 
(Via San Francisco, August 9, 1889.) 

Hon. James G. Blaine, 

Secretary of State, Washington, J). C. : 
On July 30 unsuccessful attempt by about 100 half-castes and natives to overthrow 
Government and depose King. Insurrection suppressed by Hawaiian Government 
without foreign aid. Six insurgents killed, twelve wounded; order restored same 
day; men from U. S. S. Adams landing by permission to protect lives and pixrperty 
is found necessary; afterwards returning to ship. 

Geo. W. Merrill. 



Secretary of State to Secretary of the Navy. 

Department of State, 
Washington, August 23, 1889. 
Sir : I have the honor to transmit a copy of a dispatch from our 
minister at Honolulu, relative to the attempt of 30th July last to over- 
throw the Hawaiian Government; and to express the Department's 
appreciation of the prompt response of the commander of the U. S. S. 
Adams to the ministers request for the lauding of marines to protect 
life and property in case of need. Inclosing also a copy of the printed 
accompaniment of the dispatch. 
I have the honor to be, sir, yonr obedient servant, 

William F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary. 

The Secretary of the Navy. 



Bear-Admiral KimberJy to Commodore Walker. 

U. S. MONONGAHELA (TEMPORARY FLAGSHIP), 

Apia, Samoa, September 2, 1889. 

Sir: Owing to the very satisfactory condition of affairs at present 
and the promising outlook for the future, I feel that my presence is no 
longer required here $ and I shall, therefore, leave Apia in the Adams 
about the 13th instant, to take passage in the mail steamer A lam eda, off 
Tutuila, on the 14th, for Honolulu, where I hear that there is an uneasy 
feeling after the late attempt at insurrection. 

I expect to find the Nipsic and Alert at that port, where their pres- 
ence may tend to allay any apprehensions on the part of the inhabi- 
tants of that city. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

L. A. KlMBERLY, 

Bear- Admiral JJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding TJ. S. Naval Force on Pacific Station. 

Commodore J. G. Walker, U. S. Navy, 

Chief of Office of Detail, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



463 



Secretary of the Navy to Bear- Admiral Kimberly. 

Navy Department, 

September 13th, 1889. 
Sir: The Department incloses herewith for your information a copy 
of a cipher message sent you yesterday by wire, through the United 
States consul at Aukland, New Zealand. 
Very respectfully, 

B. F. Tracy, 
Secretary of the Navy. 



Bear-Admiral Kimberly to the Secretary of the Navy. 

JJ. S. S. Alert (Temporary Flagship), 

Honolulu, September 27, 1889. 
Sir: On the 24th instant 1 was received, together with my personal 
staff, by His Majesty King Kalakau at the Iolani Palace. As far as I 
can see everything is quiet. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

L. A. Kimberly, 
Bear -Admiral JJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding JJ. S. Naval Force on Pacific Station, 
The Secretary of the Navy. 



Bear-Admiral Kimberly to the Secretary of the Navy. 

XL S. Flagship Alert (Third Eate), 

Honolulu, October 18, 1889. 

Sir: I have to report that, politically speaking, quietness prevails 
at present. There is an* agitation quietly working as to the race ques- 
tion which, no doubt, will become a prominent factor in the elections 
that come off in February. 

The natives seem to have an uneasy feeling as to their rights being 
usurped by the whites and their gradual loss of prestige and power 
in the Government, as laid down in the principles of the present con- 
stitution, which to their ideas circumscribes too much the kingly 
power. 

It would promote a feeling of security to our own people and, I 
think, other foreigners, if, at the February elections, we had a force 
here competent to preserve order should necessity arise. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

L. A. Kimberly, 
Bear- Admiral JJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding JJ. S. Naval Force on Pacific Station. 
The Secretary of the Navy. 



Secretary of State to Secretary of the Navy. 

Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt to your letter of 
the 1st instant and to the copy of Bear- Admiral Kimberly's report of 
the 18th ultimo, which you inclose, on the political situation in Hawaii. 



464 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



In view of his opinion that the security of our citizens there would 
be promoted "if at the February elections" the United States had a 
force in those waters competent to preserve order, should the necessity 
arise, I trust that your Department may find it convenient to make 
such dispositions in that quarter as will subserve the desired object. 
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 

James Gr. Blaine. 

The Secretary of the Navy. 



Secretary Tracy to Bear-Admiral Kimberly. 

Navy Department, 

November 13, 1889. 
Sir: Beferring to your letter No. 165, of the 18th ultimo, with refer- 
ence to the political situation in the Hawaiian Islands, and in which 
you state that " it would promote a feeling of security to our peonle 
and I think to other foreigners, if at the February election we had a 
force here competent to preserve order should necessity arise," the De- 
partment directs that you will keep as many of the vessels of your com- 
mand in Hawaiian waters as you may deem expedient for the purpose 
of carrying out the object in view. 

A copy of a letter from the honorable the Secretary of State, concur- 
ring in your opinion as to the desirability of such action, is inclosed 
herewith for your information. 
Yery respectfully, 

B. F. Tracy, 
Secretary of the Navy. 

Eear- Admiral L. A. Kimberly, 

Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station. 



Bear-Admiral Kimberly to the Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. Flagship Mohican (third rate), 

Honolulu, November 16, 1889. 

Sir : I have to acknowledge with thanks the Department's letter 
dated October 12, referring to my dispatch of September 26, from Hon- 
olulu, relating to the repairs of the Mpsic and my intention of relin- 
quishing command of the Pacific Station. 

I appreciate highly the Department's approval of my course in con- 
nection with the Mpsic, and avail myself of the Department's consid- 
eration, as expressed in its letter referred to above, of relinquishing 
the command of the station, and would elect to turn it over to my suc- 
cessor at Honolulu about the middle of January, 1890, in order that 1 
can return to the United States by the steamer that leaves here on 
January 17 for San Francisco. 

I have hoisted my flag on the Mohican, where I hope to keep it until 
relieved. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

L. A. Kimberly, 
Bear-Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding U. S. Naval Force on Pacific Station, 
The Secretary of the Navy. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



465 



Bear-Admiral Kimberly to the /Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. Flag-ship Mohican (third rate), 

Honolulu, November 19, 1889. 
Sir : The political situation since my letter No. 165, dated October 
18, remains unchanged. 

An uneasy feeling still exists throughout the community as to the 
possible results of the coming elections. I do not anticipate that any- 
thing of a serious nature will result therefrom. 

I am retaining two ships here, the Mohican and Nipsic, to encourage 
a better feeling of security. 

Very respectfully your obedient servant, 

L. A. Kimberly, 
Bear-Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding U. S. Naval Force on Pacific Station. 
The Secretary of the Navy. 



Secretary Tracy to Bear-Admiral Kimberly. 

Navy Department, 

December 2, 1889. 

Sir: In reply to your letter, No. 177 d, of the 16th ultimo, expressing 
a desire to relinquish the command of your station at Honolulu about 
the 15th of January, 1890, in order that you can return to the United 
States by the steamer of January 17, you are informed that the Depart- 
ment finds it inconvenient to comply with this request, but authorizes 
you to proceed to San Francisco, Oal., by the steamer of January 17, 
and to turn over your command at that place upon the arrival of your 
relief. 

Upon your arrival at San Francisco you are authorized to hoist 
your Hag upon any vessel of your squadron that may be in that port. 
Yery respectfully, 

B. F. Tracy, 

Secretary of the Navy. 

Eear- Admiral L. A. Kimberly, U. S. Navy. 
Commanding Pacific Station, 

JJ. S. F. S. Mohican, Honolulu, Haivaiian Islands. 



Bear-Admiral Kimberly to the Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. Flagship Mohican (third rate), 

Honolulu, December 13, 1889. 
Sir : I have to acknowledge the Department's letter dated November 
13 and inclosing copy of a letter from the Secretary of State refer- 
ring to the desirability of keeping a sufficient force at Honolulu to pro- 
mote a feeling of security to our own people and to other foreigners at 
the coming elections in February. 

The Mohican and Nipsic are already here and the Adams, when re- 
lieved by the Iroquois, has orders to leave for this port. 
Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

L. A. Kimberly, 
Bear-Admiral, JJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding JJ. S. Naval Force on Pacific Station, 
£he Secretary of the Navy, 
Ex, 48-— 30 



466 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Admiral Brown to Secretary of the Navy. 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, May 31, 1890. 

Sir: Referring to my letter of this date, reporting the arrival of the 
Charleston, on the 29th instant, I have to report that I found political 
affairs very quiet. 

The Legislature was convened on the 21st instant, and up to the 
present time nothing has been brought before it of a character calcu- 
lated to indicate what those in the majority and opposed to the present 
constitution inay endeavor to force on the minority in the way of legis- 
lation inimical to the interests of the people of the United States, as 
well as to the future commercial prosperity of these islands. 

As yet, my intercourse with the United States minister resident has 
been only of a formal and official character. I have arranged with him 
for a confidential conference at an early date, until which time I do 
not expect to get any reliable information bearing on the political sit- 
uation of the present and the possibilities of the future. 

Personally I am most favorably impressed with the diplomatic ability 
of Mr. Stevens, and feel assured that I can heartily cooperate with him 
in every way for the best interests of the Government of the United 
States. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

George Brown. 

The Secretary of the Navy. 



Bear-Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Wavy. 

U. S. Flagship Charleston, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, June 9, 1890. 
Sir : I have the honor to report that His Majesty the King of Hawaii 
visited this ship on the 7th instant. He was received on board with 
all the ceremonies customary on such occasions and the required 
salutes were fired. 
The Nipsic, Adams, and H. B. M. S. Acorn manned yards. 
Hon. John L. Stevens, TJ. S. Minister Besident to Hawaiian Islands, 
was present. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown, 
Bear-Admiral JJ. S. Wavy, 
Commanding TJ. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Bear-Admiral Brown to Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. Flagship Charleston, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, June 2.6, 1890. 
SiR: Since my last communication, No. 193, of May 31, referring to 
the condition of political affairs in the Hawaiian Islands, the only event 
of any import has been a change in the cabinet officers. 
On the 13th instant the ministry tendered their resignation, and on 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



467 



the 17th instant the present ministry were named by the King. The 
Legislature then adjourned until the 30th instant. 

There was nothing of a very exciting character attending the change 
of ministry, as it was a foregone conclusion that the change would be 
made in the interest of the National Eeform party, which is in a small 
majority in the Legislature. 

The present cabinet ministers appear to have the confidence and 
support of the best elements and representatives of both the Eeform 
and National Eeform parties in the Legislature. It is regarded as con- 
servative, and the only opposition which has so far shown itself comes 
from three or four members of the Legislature and the dominant party. 

The reputations of these men for patriotism do not extend beyond 
their personal ambition for such power and recognition as would place 
them in positions where their well-established characters as agitators 
and as "patriots for revenue only" would have enabled them to have 
done much mischief and kept the native element in a constant state of 
excitement. They are the leaders of a faction in the National Eeform 
party whose cry was "Hawaii for the Hawaiians." 

The action of the King in absolutely ignoring these men, by neither 
appointing one or more of them cabinet officers, as they had expected, 
or consulting them or their wishes in the formation of the present cab- 
inet, has done much towards establishing a feeling of security from 
political disturbances in the near future. 

Yery respectfully^ your obedient servant, 

George Brown, 
Rear-Admiral, TJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding TJ. 8. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 

Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Bear- A dmiral Brown to Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 269] U. S. Flagship Charleston, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, July 29,1890. 

Sir: In reference to political matters in the Hawaiian Islands I have 
to report that since my last communication on this subject. No. 228 of 
June 20, 1.890, many events have transpired in Honolulu which indi- 
cate that serious trouble, if not a revolution, is imminent at no distant 
day. The Legislature now in session will not probably adjourn before 
the middle of September next, and until that time the discordant 
element in the National Eeform party, as represented by several natives 
and half-castes in the Legislature, who were prominent leaders in the 
attempted revolution of July, 1889, will not cease their revolutionary dis- 
cussions and movements either in the Legislature or in public meetings 
on the streets. Their efforts are now being made in favor of a consti- 
tutional convention with a view of revising the present constitution, 
which was adopted in 1887. 

The revision of this constitution which these revolutionists desire 
to bring about is nothing less than an entire new constitution which 
will restore to the King his former powers, give the native element 
almost absolute control of the Government, and ignore the interests of 
foreign residents and the vast amount of capital they now have in- 
vested in several islands. The present constitution provides for the 
only way by which it can be amended, and requires the approval of 



468 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



any amendment by two regular successive Legislatures. The Legis- 
lature meets biennially. Any attempt to change the constitution in 
any other way will be revolutionary and will be resisted by the Reform 
party and by the best elements of the National Reformers. It is 
almost assured that there will be a majority in the Legislature opposed 
to granting a petition for the proposed constitutional convention, and 
that the defeat of the revolutionists in the Legislature will be the signal 
for an uprising of the lower class of natives. The result of such an 
uprising will undoubtedly prove disastrous to them, as the interests 
of the whites and the better class of natives and half-castes can not be 
permitted to be jeopardized by a small number of irresponsible and 
impecunious but educated natives and half-castes. 

The presence of the force under my command has a marked influence 
on the would be revolutionists, as while they are well aware that I am 
here to protect the persons and properties of citizens of the United 
States, the general belief among them is that I will, in the event of a 
revolution, take a more decided stand in the interests of those opposed 
to tb em than I might be warranted in doing. The white residents and 
natives and half-castes who stand ready to oppose the revolutionists 
have every confidence in their ability to do so successfully, and take 
great comfort in the knowledge of an adequate naval force being pres- 
ent. I am in frequent personal communication with our Minister Resi- 
dent, as also with many of the leading American merchants and law- 
yers, and from them am able to keep constantly advised of the progress 
of events. 

I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown, 
Rear- Admiral, U. 8. Navy, 
Commanding U. 8. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 

Hon. B. F. Tracy, 

Secretary of the Navy, Navy Department, Washington D. C. 



Bear-Admiral Brown to Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 270.] United States Flagship Charleston, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, July 29, 1890. 
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that His Majesty 
King Kalakaua made an official visit to this ship on the 7th ultimo, 
and that on the 24th instant Her Majesty Kapiolani, Queen Consort, 
was received on board. To both were accorded all the ceremonies due 
their rank. 

On the 5th instant I received an official visit from the four cabinet 
ministers. They came on board in a body and were given a salute of 
17 guns. 

I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown, 
Rear-Admiral, TJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Squadron. 
Hon B. F. Tracy, ' 

Secretary of the Navy, Navy Department, Washington, D. C, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



469 



Commander McCurley to Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. S. XlPSIC (THIRD RATE), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, August 22, 1890. 

Sill : I would respectfully report that since tlie departure of the flag- 
ship Charleston from this place ou the 7th instant the political situation 
has assumed a more disturbed appearance within the last few days, so 
I deem it advisable to report the political state of affairs immediately, 
instead of waiting until the end of the month to do so, as is the usual 
custom, the cause of the disturbance being as follows: 

Several days a go a petition was presented to His Majesty King Kala- 
kaua by a native delegation asking that the old constitution be revived 
and the new or present constitution, formed in 1887, be abrogated; and 
this petition has been indorsed by the King and presented to the Legis- 
lature for their consideration, and as I have been informed by reliable 
authorities that the native and bad half- white element threaten to sur- 
round the legislative chamber and coerce the members of the Legislature 
into voting for it, so as to give a form of legality to what is otherwise 
not only against the present constitution, but highly inimical and dan- 
gerous to American interest. 

The present constitution, formed in 1887, seems to give entire satis- 
faction to the majority of the prominent American and English residents 
at this place, including even those white people of the working classes, 
who are prosperous and thriving, as it is of a liberal character, and 
favors their interest in various ways. 

The present constitution, formed in 1887, was, in a manner, forced on 
the King by a delegation of the prominent residents at this place, and, 
as I was informed by a former minister of the late cabinet, the Hon. 
Jona. Austin, that if the King had not signed the present constitution 
and given it his support a Republic would have been declared, and at 
that time a sworn league composed of about 4,000 white men residing 
on the different islands were back of this movement, opposition to it 
would have been useless, as the respectable white element were deter- 
mined to have a liberal constitution or else a Eepublic. 

The constitution that the natives and the bad half- white element, 
under the leadership of Mr. Bush, desire, is the one just presented to 
the Legislature and indorsed by the King for their consideration, and 
is somewhat similar to the old constitution existing before the present 
one, and is objected to strongly by the American and English element, 
as it, in a manner, gives the King absolute power to appoint the nobles 
of the Legislature, instead of their being elected as they are at present; 
and also would enable the ignorant natives to control the situation 
through the ballot, freehold qualification being waived, all of which 
would be highly prejudicial to American interest. 

The fact is, to form a new or reactionary constitution for these islands, 
and restore arbitrary power to the King, would not only be highly 
disastrous to American interest, but to the prosperity of these islands, 
and the people also; but the Anglo Saxon race here, with intelligence 
and civilization behind them, move irresistibly forward on their march 
to democracy, and it is only a question of time when a more liberal 
Government will be formed as the sentiment is universally expressed, 
that should the present King die, or the new constitution be formed, 
giving him absolute power go into effect, he would then be detnroned 
and a Republic declared, and should the sworn league that existed in 
1887 be organized, they could control these islands without any out- 



470 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



side assistance whatever, it being- composed entirely of whites, and all 
natives being strictly excluded. 

I must mention here that the English residents at this place, although 
numerically- much less than Americans, have one great advantage over 
them, whether acting politically or otherwise, and that is, whenever 
there is any matter that is of advantage to them politically, commer- 
cially, or otherwise, they bury all social or personal feeling, and act 
together as a unit, thus giving them a great advantage over the 
Americans in any matter that concerns their interest. 

Unfortunately for the interest of the United States, the Americans 
here are composed of two parties or factions, between whom there seems 
to be no feeling of unity socially, politically, or otherwise. 

One of these factions is that composed of the old Puritanical stock 
whose ideas are very rigid regarding social proprieties, observance of 
the Sabbath, etc., and whom I must say are rather intolerant of the 
other Americans, who may be termed the society of these islands, and 
although they possess an equal degree of intelligence, brains, etc., as 
their more rigid brethren, they are looked upon by them as being rather 
frivolous and not setting a proper example to the native element; 
whereas they take as much interest in furthering the views of our Gov- 
ernment as the other faction, although their strong social differences 
prevent their acting together like the English, and placing American 
interests at a great disadvantage whenever a question of political or 
commercial advantage arises between American and English interests. 

Mr. 0. W. Ashford, ex-attorney general of the late cabinet, changed 
his politics previous to the dissolution of the late cabinet, and in doin g so 
lost the confidence of both parties, consequently he is eliminated as a 
factor for producing further trouble, as he did formerly. 

Mr. E. Wilcox, another great agitator, still possesses great influence 
among the native element, and, although lately in public speeches he 
advocates a quiet settlement of difficulties, he is not to be trusted. 

At present the leading spirit of the disturbing element is the Hon. J. 
E. Bush, a member of the Legislature, but as he is not a military man, 
therefore I do not think he would prove a successful leader in case of 
any disturbance, as what is termed a revolution at this place would be 
called a street riot in the United States, and a few hundred men, led 
by a determined man, could easily quell any such so-called revolution, 
and one such lesson to them would be highly beneficial to their future 
welfare. 

Although the different representatives of the different governments 
here apprehend serious trouble, I do not think the situation alarming, 
as a new constitution can not be formed unless it passes the present 
Legislature; then it has to remain in abeyance and again be brought 
before the next session before going into force, and, the better men oi 
both parties being opposed to such a change, I judge it will be quietly 
settled without resort to force. 

The only trouble that may occur is, that if the mob attempt to coerce 
the Legislature to vote for the new constitution, our minister, Hon. John 
L. Stevens, and the English commissioner, Maj. Wodehouse, propose 
to land the men from the American and British vessels of war to pre- 
vent it, and think this display of force will prevent further trouble. 

As regards this movement, I asked the Hon. John L. Stevens if this 
was not interfering with the autonomy of the Government at this place, 
to which he replied no, not if the Government authorities request it, 
so, as my instructions direct me to support him with the available force 
at my command, and, as the Department of State indicates to the min- 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



471 



ister the policy to be observed, and I am directed to act in nnison with 
him, I shall, in accordance with snch instructions, fully cooperate and 
sustain him in any action he may take, deferring to his better judgment 
on any question that may arise regarding international law. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Felix McCurley, 
Commander, JJ. S. Wavy, Commanding, and Senior Officer Present, 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. G. 



Bear-Admiral Broum to Secretary of the Navy. 

[Telegram.] 

Port Townsend (via Seattle), Wash., 

September 1, 1890. 
Orders received. Will sail for Honolulu at noon to-day. 

Brown. 



Bear-Admiral Brown to Secretary of the Navy. 

JJ. S. Flagship Charleston, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, September 19, 1890. 
Sir : I have the honor to report the arrival of this ship at this port 
on the 12th instant, after a passage of eleven days from Port Town- 
send, Wash. 

The Nipsic sailed from this place for San Francisco on the 9th 
instant. 

The Iroquois arrived here on the 7th instant, seventeen days from 
Pago Pago. 

I learn from the steamer Mariposa, which arrived here this morning 
en route from Australia to San Francisco, that the Mohican was at 
Auckland on the 8th instant on her way to this place, and that Com- 
mander Shepard was having difficulty in obtaining coal on account of 
the general strike in the coal mines of the colonies, and that he would 
go to Pago Pago under sail, if necessary, and there take coal. I look 
for the Mohican here about October 15, or possibly a few days earlier. 
Very respectfully, 

Geo. Brown, 
Bear-Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding JJ. S* Naval Force, Pacific Station. 

Chief of Bureau of Navigation, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Bear-Admiral Brown to Secretary of the Navy. 

JJ. S. Flagship Charleston, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, September 19, 1890. 
Sir : I have the honor to report that this ship reached this place 
on the 12th instant, after a passage of eleven days from Port Town- 
send. I found the Iroquois here, the Nipsic having sailed from San 
Francisco on the 9 th instant. 



472 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



During my absence of thirty-six days there has, at times, been con- 
siderable excitement, but nothing of an alarming character has 
occurred. 

A committee representing the Mechanics' Union and one wing of the 
National Eeform Party, presented a petition to the King asking that a 
constitutional convention should be called. The King referred the 
petition to the Legislature without consulting his cabinet officers, 
which fact is an evidence that he is in sympathy with those who favor 
a change in the constitution. The petition was referred to a select 
committee of the Legislature, and it is an open secret that a majority 
of this committee will report adversely to the demand for a conven- 
tion. The report will be made on the 22d instant, and it is almost 
certain that the Legislature will adopt the majority report, as the 
reform party will be joined by enough of the best element of the 
Nationalists. 

The discussion of the majority and minority reports will give the 
disgruntled Nationals an opportunity of repeating their incendiary 
speeches, such as have been recently made in the Legislature and at 
mass meetings, as will be shown by the inclosed clippings from local 
papers. 

There has been a strong movement made looking toward impeaching 
the present ministry by a vote of want of confidence. A few days ago 
I was shown a list of members who were pledged to vote for impeach- 
ment, and was assured that action would be taken this week. I have 
to-day been informed that there is some doubt about some of the mem- 
bers who were expected to vote for impeachment and that action has 
been postponed for a few days. 

During my absence, the two companies of militia known as the 
"Honolulu Kifles," have been disbanded and ordered to turn their arms 
and ammunition in to the marshal of the Kingdom. This by legisla- 
tive resolution. The Eilles were counted on to check such uprising as 
took place in June, 1889, on which occasion they did good service. It 
is known to many 'that the best and most reliable men of the disbanded 
companies have secretly organized as a social club and that they have 
their own arms and can be brought together at short notice if their 
services are needed. 

It appears evident that the disgruntled Nationals, who at one time 
had a very strong following, have, by their incendiary speeches and 
threats to dethrone the King, disgusted many of the respectable mem- 
bers of their own political party, and are thereby weakened in their efforts 
to bring about a change of the constitution or of the ministry. 

The present excitement will be kept up as long as the Legislature is 
in session, after which matters may quiet down. The minister of for- 
eign affairs informed me to-day that he thought an adjournment could 
be brought about in about three weeks. 

I find that many of the prominent Americans who two months ago 
were positive that an uprising was imminent now talk as if the danger 
was passed, and they all say that the condition of affairs at present is 
due to the fact that there is a split in the national party, brought 
about by what they term the ill-advised speeches and demonstrations 
of the so-called Revolutionists. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown, 
Rear -Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding U. -8. Naval Force, Pacific Station, 

Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. G, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



473 



Bear- Admiral Brown to Secretary of the Navy. 

United States Flagship Charleston, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, September 26, 1890. 

Sir: Since my last report, of the 19th instant, nothing exciting of a 
political nature has occurred. 

On the 23d instant the special committee of the Legislature to 
which was referred the bill to authorize the calling of a convention to 
remodel or revise the constitution of Hawaii presented the majority 
report, which was signed by six of the nine members of the committee. 

This majority reported, in very strong terms, adversely to amending 
the constitution in any other way than as provided for in the existing 
constitution, as it would be revolutionary. (I inclose a copy of the 
report.) 

The minority of the committee have presented no report as yet, and 
it is thought that none will be made. The report of the majority will 
be discussed and voted on on the 29th instant, at which time there may 
be considerable excitement, as it is understood that the agitators will 
have their followers crowd the legislative hall and possibly express 
their disapproval of the report of the committee. There is no doubt 
that this report will be adopted by a large majority. 

I do not anticipate any serious trouble on that occasion. 
I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown, 
Bear -Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station. 

Hon. B. F. Tracy, 

Secretary of the Navy, Navy Department, Washington, D. G. 



'■ Admiral Brown to Secretary Tracy. 

Honolulu, Hawaii, October 24, 1890. 

Sir: Since my last report on the condition of political affairs here, 
by letter No. 348 of September 26 ultimo, nothing of special note has 
occurred, with the exception that the bill to authorize the calling of a 
constitutional convention was defeated in the Legislature. Several 
amendments to the constitution have been recommended by the same 
committee which reported adversely to the convention proposition, and 
they will probably be adopted without much opposition. 

The leading political agitators have been losing their following very 
rapidly. They were so badly beaten in their efforts to obtain a con- 
stitutional convention that they dared not attempt to carry out their 
revolutionary threats. 

Yesterday a resolution of a want of confidence in the ministry was 
introduced in the Legislature, and after a full day's discussion was 
defeated by a vote of 26 to 18. With one exception, the members of 
the reform party voted to sustain the ministry. The others, who 
opposed the resolution, represent the best elements of the national 
party (which is the party in power). It is the general impression that 
the King favors a change of ministry. 

The effect of this very decided defeat of the would-be revolutionists 



474 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



and spoilsmen will be that the aggressive element in the national 
party will be quieted and not heard from again during the present 
session. 

The Legislature will probably adjourn before November 10 proximo, 
and after that matters will settle down and there will be nothing of a 
political nature to disturb the quiet of the Hawaiian Kingdom until 
the campaign of February, 1892. There will be no necessity of having 
more than one ship of the squadron at these islands after the adjourn- 
ment of the Legislature. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown. 



Bear-Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 393.] United States Flagship Charleston, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, November 11, 1890. 
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that the Mohican 
arrived at this place on the 3d instant, seventeen days from Papeete, 
Tahiti. 

The Mohican sailed from Sydney, Australia, on September 1, arrived 
at Auckland, New Zealand, on the 6th, and finding it impossible to 
obtain coal at that place on account of the general strike she went to 
the Bay of Islands where she, with great difficulty, obtained a supply, 
She arrived at Apia, Samoa, on September 26 and left the same day for 
Pago Pago, where she coaled. She sailed from that place on October 1, 
arrived at Papeete, Tahiti, on the 11th, and sailed from there on the 
16th for this port. 

The Mohican has been actively cruising* since she sailed from Samoa, 
and has visited important island ports which are very rarely touched 
at by the ships of this squadron. 

She is in good order and condition and requires only such overhnul- 
ing of her engines and boilers as can be done with her own mechanics. 
Her stay in this port will be indefinite. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown, 
Bear-Admiral, TJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station. 

The Secretary of the Navy, 
Navy Department, Washington, D. G. 



* Bear-Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 400.] United States Flagship Charleston, 

Honolulu, Hawaiianlslands, November 14, 1890. 
Sir : Since my last report on the condition of political affairs here, 
by letter No. 373, of October 24, ultimo, nothing of an exciting nature 
has occurred. 

This day at noon the Legislature was prorogued by His Majesty the 
King, at which ceremony 1 attended with my staff. Until the next 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



475 



general election in February, 1892, there will be no probability of any 
trouble in these islands. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Beown, 
Bear Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding United States Na val Force, Pacific /Station. 

The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Bear- Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 409.] 

United States Flagship Charleston, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, November 20, 1890. 
Sir : In anticipation of the receipt, by mail due here on the 22nd 
instant, of such instructions as authorize me to proceed with this 
ship to the Mare Island navy yard, I am having preparations made 
for sea by taking on board a full supply of coal and cleaning the 
extremely foul bottom with divers. Unless otherwise directed, I pro- 
pose to sail for San Francisco on the 25th instant, and we should reach 
there on the 3rd or 4th proximo. 

Through our minister, Hon. John L. Stevens, I have received an 
official request from the Hawaiian minister of foreign affairs that 
His Majesty, the King of Hawaii, be given a passage to San Francisco 
in this ship, and I have replied that it will give me great pleasure to 
comply with that request. 

His Majesty goes to California for the benefit of his health, which has 
been failing of late, and his expectation is to remain in southern Cali- 
fornia for two months. He expects to have an official reception on his 
arrival at San Francisco, and then travel incog. He will take with him 
his chamberlain and one servant. 

The Legislature was prorogued on the 14th instant, and having con- 
sulted with our minister, I am clearly of the opinion that one ship at 
these islands will be all that will be required to guard our interests for 
at least a year. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown, 
Bear-Admiral, U. 8. Navy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
•The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Bear-Admiral Broivn to the Secretary of the Navy. 

[Telegram.] 

San Francisco, Cal., 

December 4, 1890. 
Charleston arrived; left Honolulu 25. King Kalakaua, of Hawaii, 
chamberlain, and one aide came with me. Can go to navy-yard as 
soon as ordered. 

Brown, 
Bear-Admiral. 



476 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Bear Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Xary. 

Xo. 39.] United States Flagship Charleston, 

Honolula. Hawaiian Islands, February 7, 1891. 

Sir : As reported in a previous letter, this snip arrived here on Janu- 
ary 29. 1891. The tinal obsequies of the late King Kalakaua will take 
place on the loth instant. 

Lilioukalarri was proclaimed Queen by the cabinet ministry on the 
29th day of January, the day of our arrival here with the remains of 
the deceased King. 

It is not probable that any political complications of a serious nature 
will be brought about by the recent change in the Sovereign of Hawaii. 
There will probably be a new cabinet named by the Queen when the 
present cabinet resigns, as it will probably do immediately after the 
funeral of the late King Kalakaua. 

I will remain here until about the 20th instant, so as to take part in 
the funeral ceremonies. I will, after that event, recognize the accession 
of*Her Majesty by saluting from this ship and the Mohican. 

The visit of the late King to California, his demise on American soil, 
the attentions and courtesies extended to him by Government, State 
and city officials, as well as by the best citizens of every place he vis- 
ited, and the honors shown to his memory by the officials and citizens 
of San Francisco, and by the 2savy Department in returning the re- 
mains to his people, is appreciated in the highest degree by the Gov- 
ernment of Hawaii and by the people of these Islands, more especially 
by the native element, and can not but result in much closer relations 
between them and the United States. 

I inclose a copy of resolutions presented to me on the 5th instant 
and a clipping from a local paper. 

I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown, 
Bear- Admiral, U. S. Nary, 
Commanding United states Naval Force, Pacific Station, 
The Secretary of the Zsavy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. G, 



Bear-Admiral Broun to the Secretary of the Z\avy. 

So, 50.] United States Flag-ship Charleston, 

At Sea, Lat. 30° 09' X. Long. 139- 53' W.-, February 23, 1891. 

Sir: As previously reported, Liliuokalaui was proclaimed Queen of 
Hawaii on the 29th of January, 1891, as provided for by article 22 of 
the constitution of the Hawaiian Islands. 

The remains of his late majesty, King Kalakaua, were kept lying in 
state in the throne room of the palace from January 29 (the date of 
their being landed from this ship) until the 15th instant, when the final 
obsequies took place. On this occasion I was, by special invitation, 
the honored guest of the Eoyal family, and rode in a state carriage, fol- 
lowing next after the Queen. 

The naval battalion, under the command of Commander E. M. Sliep- 
ard, of the Mohican, consisted of the band, six companies of sailors 
equipped as infantry, and two companies of marines from the vessels 
under my command, and one company of sailors equipped as infantry 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



477 



from H. B. M. ship Nymphe. This escort was given a prominent posi- 
tion in the funeral procession. 

By special request of the minister of foreign affairs, the two com- 
panies of marines formed the "firing party" at the mausoleum and 
the three cornet players of the Charleston's band sounded "taps." 
All the officers of both ships who could be spared (£4 in number, 
besides those in the naval battalion) attended the funeral ceremonies 
in special full dress uniform. 

As the catafalque and Royal mourners left the Palace grounds, the 
yards of the ships were cockbilled and their ensigns half-masted, and, 
until the catafalque reached the mausoleum, minute guns were fired 
from this ship and the Mohican. The Mohican fired the first thirty 
guns and the Charleston the last eighty-nine. The mausoleum is about 
1£ miles from the Palace, and the time occupied in the passage of the 
catafalque was one hour and fifty-nine minutes. 

On the 16th instant, the day following the funeral, I officially recog- 
nized the accession of Queen Liliuokalani to the throne of Hawaii, by 
dressing ships with flags and firing salutes of twenty-one guns from 
the Charleston and Mohican at noon. While these salutes were being 
fired I was being presented to Queen Liliuokalani by our minister, Mr. 
Stevens. All the officers who could be spared from duty on both 
ships, thirty-three in number, were also present in special full dress 
uniform, and were presented by me to the Queen. 

I had been officially notified that princess Kiulani (aged 15 years 
last October), the daughter of the late princess Likiliki and her hus- 
band A. S.'Cleghorn (an Englishman by birth), would be proclaimed 
heir presumptive to the throne, and that a royal salute would be fired 
in her honor from the shore battery at 2 p. m. on the 16th instant. 
After consultation with our minister, I decided that I would take no 
part in this ceremony, as any action of mine at that time might lead 
to future complications, and that I would await the action of the Pres- 
ident and instructions from the Navy Department before ordering any 
recognition of the action of the Queen in naming her successor. 

For some reason the Queen's proclamation was withheld, and had 
not been issued up to the time 1 left Honolulu, which was twenty-four 
hours after the time designated. 

It was generally known that the Queen desired to form a new cab- 
inet, and that she had asked for the resignations of the present one. 

The present incumbents, however, unanimously decided that they 
would not tender their resignations, as, under the constitution, their ten- 
ure of office extended until impeachment, or until the Legislature, by a 
majority vote, passed a resolution of want of confidence. The position 
taken by the cabinet will be accepted by the Queen and her people. 

It is not probable that any political complications of a serious nature 
will result. I was informed by one member of the cabinet that the 
ministers adopted this course on purely constitutional grounds, and 
that if the decision of the supreme court sustained them they would 
voluntarily tender their resignations, provided they were positively * 
assured that their successors would be men in Avhom the people had 
every confidence. 

The recent events connected with the death of Kalakaua in San 
Francisco, the honors accorded his memory by the Government of the 
United States, the State of California, the officials and citizens of San 
Francisco, and the return of his remains by this ship, and the part 
taken by the officers and men under my command in the various cere- 
monies and the final obsequies, has engendered in the hearts and 



478 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



minds of the native Hawaiians, as well as the foreign-born citizens, a 
feeling of affection and gratitude toward the United States which it 
will be difficult to eradicate and which has already resulted, and will 
continue to result, in bringing these people in closer and more desirable 
relations with the Government and people of oiu- country. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown, 
Rear-Admiral, U. S. Wavy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. G. 



Rear- Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Navy. 

[Telegram.] 

February 27, 1891. 
Left Honolulu 18th ; accession of Queen was officially recognized 16th, 
day following King's funeral. Some political excitement a mong offici als. 
Queen desired change in cabinet, but incumbents declined to resign be- 
cause constitutian fixes tenure of office during pleasure of Legislature. 
The question is before the supreme court and decision will be accepted. 
Iroquois now due at Honolulu; Mohican will also remain there and sail 
for California March 20, if all is quiet and orders are not counter- 
manded, which can be done by steamer leaving San Fraifcisco, March 
10, if desirable. 

Brown, 
Rear-Admiral. 



Commander Shepard to Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. Steamer Mohican (third rate), 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, March 9, 1891. 

Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report regarding the 
political situation in the Hawaiian Islands : 

On the 10th ultimo the King's cabinet sent a request to the supreme 
court for an opinion upon the question whether the Queen was author- 
ized by the constitution to request their resignations and was free to 
appoint a new cabinet.* 

On the 17th the cabinet asked the justices to suspend their reply 
until further notice. On the 25th the cabinet asked them to proceed, 
and at about 3 p. m. the opinion of the court was handed to the attorney- 
general, and the cabinet sent in their resignations to the Queen, who 
at once appointed a new cabinet, as follows: Samuel Parker, minister 
of foreign affairs; H. A. Widemann, minister of finance; 0. N. Spencer, 
minister of interior: W. A. Whiting, attorney -general. 

To these gentlemen the chief justice soon afterwards administered 
the oaths of office. I inclose herewith a clipping from a local paper 
giving in full the decision of the court. 

Previous to the change of the cabinets there were numbers of wild 
rumors about malcontents attempting to gain control of affairs, and 
they would probably have made the effort, but were deterred by the 
fact that there was no chance of success. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



479 



Phe appointment of a cabinet apparently free from any discordant 
element seems to have convinced the agitators that the opportunity is 
not favorable for a demonstration, for at present everything is quiet, 
and, according to best information obtainable, is likely to remain so, at 
least until the meeting of the next Legislature, more than one year from 
this date. 

To-day (March 9) Her Majesty, the Queen, with the consent of the 
nobles, proclaimed Princess Kaiulani her successor, and at the request 
of the minister of foreign affairs the Mohican fired a salute of twenty- 
one guns, accompanying the shore battery. 

H. M. S. Nymphe sailed for Esquimault on Saturday, the 7th instant. 
Very respectfully. 

E. M. Shepard, 
Commander, U. 8. Navy, Commanding. 

The Secretary of the Navy, 

Wavy Department. 



Commander Bead to Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. S. Iroquois (third rate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, July 1, 1891. 

Sir : I have the honor to report that, from all the information I am 
able to learn, matters of a political nature here are quiet, nothing of 
importance having occurred since my last letter, No. 6, dated June 16: 
The health of the port and ship is good. During the past month the 
American ship Centennial arrived with a cargo of 1,005 tons of coal on 
account of the Navy Department, which has been stored in the Navy 
coal shed, excepting 500 tons, which is stored outside, the capacity of 
shed not being sufficient to store it all. Total amount of coal for Navy 
purposes now available is 2,052-^/^0 tons. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. J. Bead, 
Commander, U. J8. Navy, Commanding. 

The Secretary of the Navy, 

Washington, D. C, 



Bear-Admiral Brown to Secretary of the Navy, 

United States Cruiser San Francisco, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 

Honolulu, Hawaii, February 29, 1892. 
Sir : I have the honor to report the arrival of this ship at this port 
on the 27th instant. 

We left the harbor of San Diego at noon on the 17th instant, and 
until the afternoon of the following day the time was occupied in 
target practice with the main battery and the rapid-fire guns. 
The Pensacola will sail for San Francisco, Oal., on or about March 12. 



480 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



If the Iroquois received her orders she should reach here within a 
week. 

Political matters are extremely quiet in Hawaii. 
Very respectfully, 

Geo. Brown, 
Bear-Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station, 
The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. 0. 



Bear-Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 99.] TJ. S. Flagship San Francisco, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, March 28, 1892., 

Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that, accompanied 
by my staff and other officers of this ship, I was presented to Her 
Majesty Queen Lilioukalani by the Hon. John L. Stevens, our min- 
ister to Hawaii, on the 3d instant. 

On the 19th instant the Queen, accompanied by the members of the 
cabinet and her official staff, was received on board this ship with all 
the honors due her. As she had not been on board of a man-of-war for 
fifteen years, I regarded her visit as a special evidence of her desire to 
show to the public her friendly consideration towards "the United 
States; on this occasion Hon. John L. Stevens, United States min- 
ister, was on board and assisted in receiving the distinguished guests. 

From a careful consideration of political affairs- in Hawaii, and from 
information obtained by consultations with our minister, it is evident 
that there is a rapidly growing sentiment of friendship towards the 
United States Government on the part of the native Hawaiians on all 
the islands, and a consequent opposition to the Queen, and especially 
to those who are near her court. This feeling can be traced to the de- 
pression of business affairs, due to the fact that all holding interests 
in the production of sugar see nothing of an encouraging nature in the 
future of that production. The question of annexation to the United 
States is freely discussed at public meetings and on the streets by 
those natives whose cry was "Hawaii for the Hawaiians" one year 
ago. 

There exists a strong faction which is prepared to overthrow the 
present Government by force of arms, but the majority of the leaders 
of this party are opposed to violent measures, and I am of the opinion 
that the presence of this ship in the harbor deters the so-called u Lib- 
eral Party" from resorting to extreme measures. 

Among the business men, who have large pecuniary interests in 
Hawaii, there is a strong feeling of doubt as to the outcome of the pres- 
ent political agitation, and the general sentiment is that radical reforms 
in the interests of economy in governmental management must be 
made by the next legislature, which convenes in May next. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown, 
Bear-Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station, 
The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington^ D, (7, 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



481 



Rear Admiral Brown to Secretary of the Wavy. 

No. 140.] II. S. Cruiser San Francisco, 

Honolulu, Ha waiian Islands, April 26, 1892. 

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that since my last report po- 
litical affairs in Hawaii have been unusually quiet. 

Several election cases have been contested in the lower courts by the 
Liberals, and in each case the decision was against them, and the re- 
sults were not changed by the appeals to the supreme court. 

The Liberals make a very small showing in the Legislature which will 
convene on the 28th of May. Until after that date there will be noth- 
ing done by either party, but the Liberals will make no violent demon- 
strations against the Queen until they are satisfied that they can not 
obtain some satisfactory legislation. 

The conservative and reform parties will act as one, and will have 
such an overwhelming majority in the Legislature as to enable them 
to absolutely control matters. 

It is distinctly understood that the present cabinet will be ousted 
by a vote of " want of confidence" and that no cabinet will be accepted 
by the Legislature, unless it pledges itself to make several changes in 
high officials, which will have the desirable effect of purifying the 
moral atmosphere near the royal court. 

I do not anticipate any violent measures in Hawaii during the next 
six months, but regard the presence of one shij) as absolutely necessary 
in order to guard our interests. 

There is no question but that the presence of one of our ships in this 
harbor will serve to check the few agitators from taking any action 
which would disturb the quiet of the islands. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Geo. Brown, 
Rear -Admiral, TJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station. 

* Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Rear-Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 168.] U. S. Cruiser San Francisco, , 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 

Honolulu, Hawaii, May 23, 1892. 

Sir : Since my last report, No. 140, of April 26, 1892, political affairs 
in Hawaii have been quiet, until the 20th instant. 

The liberal party, led by the Ashford brothers (Canadians) and 
Eobert W. Wilcox, have been holding public meetings weekly and 
secret meetings frequently, and were becoming more bold and out- 
spoken in their treasonable utterances. Their plans were known to be 
about perfected, and it seemed as if any night might see an uprising of 
600 or 700 liberals, who would endeavor to make prisoners, in their 
residences, all Government officers of importance, as well as the Queen 
in the palace, and thereby prevent all communication between the 
Queen and her ministers, and between the Government officials. 

The liberals were not generally provided witfr arms, and it is certain 
that their desire was to carry out their plans with out violence, 
H. Ex. 48 — -31* 



482 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Although no overt act of treason had been committed by the liberals, 
the Government, on the 20th instant, caused the arrest of nineteen of 
the most prominent men of that party, on the charge of treason. These 
arrests included V. V. Ashford and R. W. Wilcox. All arrests were 
made without any trouble or opposition. Additional arrests will prob- 
ably follow. 

Under the laws of Hawaii, all of those arrested must be taken before 
one of the judges of the supreme court, who decides whether they will 
be released or committed for trial. It is thought that the Government 
has sufficient evidence to hold these parties for trial, in which case they 
will be kept close prisoners until July next. 

There is no doubt in my mind but that the prompt action of the Gov- 
ernment has checked, if not prevented, any movement on the part of 
the liberals for some months to come. It has certainly within the last 
three days had the effect of strengthening the Government and fright- 
ening and demoralizing the lower classes of liberals, who were mere 
tools of the leaders of their party, for they do not appear to have much 
sympathy with the leaders who are prisoners, nor have they shown the 
slightest signs of taking any concerted action in opposition to the law 
"of the Kingdom. 

The results of the action of the Government will be watched with 
great interest, and the future will depend on whether or not there is 
sufficient evidence against the prisoners to prove the charge of treason 
if they are committed for trial. 

I do not anticipate any trouble which will call for any action on my 
part, but the moral effect of the presence of a ship of war in this harbor 
is such as to prevent any acts of violence. 
The Legislature will meet on the 28th instant. 
Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

George Brown, 
Bear- Admiral IT. S. Navy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Statign. 

The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. 0. 



Rear-Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Navy. 

Ko. 191.] U. S. Cruiser San Francisco, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 

Honolulu, Hawaii, June 20, 1892. 
Sir : Since my last report the only event of any interest in Hawaiian 
affairs was the committal of Ei W. Wilcox and five others for trial on 
the charge of treason. The trial will commence next month. All the 
others who were arrested on a similiar charge have been discharged, 
V. Y. Ashford, who was leader among those discharged, left the islands 
immediately for the United States. 

There is every reason to believe that there will be no political dis> 
turbances here for some time to come. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

George Brown, 
Rear- Admiral U. S. Navy, 
Commanding TJ. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



483 



Bear-Admiral Broivn to the Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 194.] U. S. Cruiser San Francisco, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 

Honolulu, Hawaii 7 June 30, 1892. 
Sir : I have the honor to report that political affairs in Hawaii are 
very qniet at this date. 

It is assured that the Legislature now in session will pass a resolution 
of a want of confidence in the present cabinet at an early date. 

The Government has abandoned the prosecution of all persons avIio 
were recently arrested on the charge of treason, and have released them. 
Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

George Brown, 
Bear -Admiral IT. S. Navy, 
Commanding IT. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington,'!). C. 



Bear- Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Nary. 

No. 216.] IT. S. Cruiser San Francisco, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 

Honolulu, Hawaii, July 19, 1892. 
Sir: Since my last report of June 30 nothing of an important charac- 
ter has occurred in Hawaiian politics. 

A resolution of a want of confidence has been introduced in the Leg- 
islature and will come up for consideration day after to-morrow, the 
21st instant, unless the members of the cabinet tender their resigna- 
tions before that time. 

It is a foregone conclusion that there will be a change of cabinet, 
and that the present minister of foreign affairs, Mr. Samuel Parker, 
will be the leader of the new cabinet, as he represents satisfactorily the 
better class of natives. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

George Brown, 
Bear- Admiral IT. S. Navy, 
Commanding IT. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C, 



Bear- Admiral Brown to the Secretary of the Navy, 

No. 218.] U. S. Oruiser San Francisco, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 

Honolulu, Hawaii, August 17, 1892. 
Sir : I have the honor to report that there has been nothing of an 
unusual or exciting character in Hawaiian politics since my last 
report. 

The great depression in business matters in the islands is being felt 



484 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



by all classes. Importations from the United States are extremely 
light, and many vessels leave here in ballast. 

The Legislature is considering the appropriation bills, and has the 
difficult problem to solve of confining necessary expenditures within 
the limits of prospective revenues for the coming period of two years. 
Very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, 

George Brown, 
Fear-Admiral U. 8. Navy, 
Commanding U. 8. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Captain Wiltse to Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. S. Boston (Second Kate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, October 12, 1802. 

Sir : I have the honor to report that on September 14 the intro- 
duction in the Hawaiian legislature of a want of confidence resolution 
in the new ministry resulted in a vote of 24 to 21 in favor of the reso- 
lution. The opposition claimed that the resolution had passed, but the 
ministry declared it required a vote of 25 to pass, and the chair sus- 
tained them. As the question hinged on an interpretation of the con- 
stitution, the matter was referred to the supreme court, which decided 
in favor of the ministry. 

On October 1 an election was held to fill the vacant seats of two 
members. The ministry party raised the cry of anti-annexation, and 
were ardently supported by the British and other foreigners. Unwar- 
ranted attacks were made (in my opinion for political purposes) upon 
the United States representatives by anonymous writers in the official 
organ of the Government. The election resulted in a victory for the 
ministry. 

The British representatives manifest the most unusual interest, pub 
licly, In all political proceedings. The action of the ministry, with 
possibly one exception, and of the English element is plainly inpo p o 
sition to the United States. 

There is a large and growing sentiment, particularly among the 
planters, in favor of annexation to the United States, but I am informed 
that the leaders do not think an opportune moment will arrive for some 
time to come. However, everything seems to point toward an eventual 
request for annexation. 

The political situation at present is more quiet and will probably 
remain so unless another resolution of want of confidence is passed, 
which is not likely in the immediate future. 

The financial question is the most important question to be met by 
the ministry. 

Very respectfully, 

G. C. Wiltse, 
Captain, Commanding. 

Hon. Secretary of the Xavy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



485 



Capt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. S. Boston (Second Rate), 
Honolulu, Ha waiian Islands, October 20, 1892. 

Sir : I have the honor to report that since my last letter on Monday, 
October 17, a want of confidence resolution was unexpectedly intro- 
duced and passed by a vote of 31 to 15, forcing the ministry to resign. 

The political situation is still unsettled. It is thought that the names 
of the new cabinet will be sent to the legislature by Monday next, Oc- 
tober 24. If the new ministry is acceptable to the majority, legislation 
will be resumed and affairs become more settled. If, however, the 
Queen persists in consulting only her own inclination, regardless of the 
wishes of the opposition, which is a large majority, it is difficult to pre- 
dict what will be the outcome. 

I inclose a paper giving an account of the proceedings, etc., when 
the want of confidence resolution was introduced. 
Yery respectfully, 

G. 0. Wiltse, 
Captain, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Boston. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Captain Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navy. 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, November 1, 1892. 

Sir : Respecting the state of political affairs in the Hawaiian King- 
dom, I Lave the honor to report that after much delay a cabinet was 
sent to the Legislature to-day, and was immediately voted out by a 
vote of 26 to 13. The Legislature then adjourned until November 7, 
having yesterday refused to pass appropriation bills for the running 
expenses of the Government. Meanwhile the salaries of all officials 
are overdue, and must remain unpaid until the Legislature appro- 
priates the money according to law. 

The Queen persists in refusing to appoint a cabinet in conformity 
with the wishes of the majority, and it is possible that her obstinacy 
may precipitate a crisis. 
Very respectfully, 

Gr. C. Wiltse, 
Captain, U. S. Navy, Commanding TJ. S. S. Boston. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Capt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navy. 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, 

November 9, 1892. 
Sir : I have the honor to report that the danger of a political crisis 
in the Hawaiian Kingdom seems to have passed. The Queen has ap- 
pointed a cabinet, after much pressure had been brought to bear, that 



486 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



is strong financially, and favorable to American interests. Tlie new 
ministry will probably be supported by the Legislature, although much 
opposition has been aroused among the native members because they 
are not represented. It is doubtful, however, if the natives can secure 
enough votes to vote the cabinet out, though they would do so, if pos- 
sible. I am informed from reliable sources that the Queen had been 
strongly advised to dissolve the Legislature and order a new election, 
which would have been unconstitutional and which would probably 
have caused a revolution ; but she was deterred by the presence of 
United States vessels of war. I inclose paper containing editorials on 
the situation. 

Yerv respectfully, 

G. 0. WlLTSE. 

Captain, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Boston. 
Hon. Secretary of the Xayy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Capt. Ch. C. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Wavy. 

IT. S. S. Boston (second rate), 
Honolulu. Hawaiian Islands, January 4, 1893. 
Sir: I have the honor to report that the condition of political 
affairs in the Hawaiian Kingdom is very quiet, and has remained un- 
changed since my last letter of December 6, 1892. 

The Legislature has nearly finished its work and will probably ad- 
journ in a very short time. 
Very respectfully, 

G. 0. Wiltse, 
Captain, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Boston. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Capt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navy. 

XL S. S. Boston (second rate), 
Honolulu. Hawaiian Islands, January 18, 1893. 
Sir: I have the honor to make the following report concerning the 
condition of political affairs in the Hawaiian Islands: 

As stated in my communication of January 4, 1893, the Boston sailed 
from this port for Hilo, Hawaii, with the United States minister on 
board. 

During the absence of the ship from this port, on January 12, the 
cabinet was voted out of office by a vote of 25 to 16. 
And the cabinet was appointed on January 11. 

On the morning of January 14 the Boston arrived in this port from 
Lahina, Maul, and came to anchor. 

At noon on the same day the Legislature was prorogued by the Queen, 
and it was rumored that the Queen intended proclaiming a new con- 
stitution. This however was not done. 

On Monday, January 10, there was a large and enthusiastic mass 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



487 



meeting* composed of the representative men of Honolulu, held in the 
largest hall in the city, at 2 p. m. 

Oh the same day I received from the United States minister a request 
to land the sailors and marines of the Boston to protect the United 
States legation, consulate, and the lives and property of American 
citizens. 

At 4:30 p. m., January 16, I landed the ships battalion under the 
command of Lieut.- Commander William T. Swinburne. 

One detachment of marines was placed at the legation and one at 
the consulate, while the main body of men, with two pieces of artillery, 
were quartered in a hall of central location near the Government 
building. 

On Tuesday, January 17, a Provisional Government was established 
and the Queen dethroned. 

The Provisional Government took possession of the Government 
buildings, the archives, and the treasury, the Queen acquiescing under 
protest. 

The Provisional Government was recognized as the de facto Govern- 
ment of the Hawaiian Islands by the United States minister. 

The revolution has been accomplished without the loss of a single 
life, and to-day, January 18, the Provisional Government has posses- 
sion and control of the city, which is under martial law. 

I am informed that commissioners will leave to-morrow for Washing- 
ton, fully accredited for purposes of negotiation to permit these islands 
to come under the control of the United States. 
Very respectfully, 

G, 0. Wiltse, 
Captain, U. 8. Navy, Commanding U. 8. 8. Boston. 
Hon. Secretary oe the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



John L. Stevens, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of 
the United States, to Captain Q. C. Wiltse. 

United States Legation, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 16, 1893. 
Sir : In view of the existing critical circumstances in Honolulu, in- 
dicating an inadequate legal force, I request you to land marines and 
sailors from the ship under your command for the protection of the 
United States legation and the United States consulate, and to se- 
cure the safety of American life and property. 
Yours truly, 

John L. Stevens, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary 

of the United States. 



Capt. Wiltse to Lieut. Commander Swinburne. 

Sir ; You will take command of the battalion and land in Honolulu 
for the purpose of protecting our legation, consulate, and the lives and 
property of American citizens, and to assist in preserving public order. 



488 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Great prudence must be exercised by both officers and men, and no 
action taken that is not fully warranted by the condition of affairs and 
by the conduct of those who may be inimical to the treaty rights of 
American citizens. 

You will inform me at the earliest practicable moment of any change 
in the situation. 

Very respectfully, 

G. 0. WlLTSE, 

Captain, TJ. 8. Navy, Commanding TJ. 8. 8. Boston. 
Lieut. Commander W. T. Swinburne, 

Executive Officer TJ. 8. 8. Boston. 



Capt. Wiltse to Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. S. Boston (second rate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, February i, 1893. 

Sir : As stated in my last report of January 18, I landed the ship's 
battalion on January 16, at the request of the United States minister, 
a copy of which is herewith inclosed, a request that this should be 
done having been made to him by the committee of public safety. 

The battalion is under the command of Lieut. Commander W. T. 
Swinburne, with Lieut. W. E. Eush as adjutant. 

I inclose herewith a copy of the orders given by me to Lieut. Com- 
mander Swinburne. 

The battalion consists of one company of marines, 30 men, under 
command of Lieut H. L. Draper, U. S. Marine Corps; two companies of 
sailors, the first consisting of 34 men, under the command of Lieut. 
Charles Laird, Naval Cadet J. F. Carter being chief of section j and 
the second, consisting of 35 men, under command of Lieut. De Witt 
Coffman, Naval Cadet W. JD. Brotherton being chief of section; two 
pieces of artillery? one short gatling, and one 37 inm H. E. G, under com- 
mand of Lieut. Lucien Young, ^aval Cadet W, Evans being chief of 
section. 

At the request of the Provisional Government I have kept the bat- 
talion ashore and it is not my intention to withdraw all the force until 
a request tha: it be done is made by the Provisional Government, with 
the approval of the United States minister. 

On January 25 the guard at the legation was reduced from 14 to 0, 
at the request of the minister, 8 men going to the consulate, where the 
remainder of the marine guard is stationed. 

While there has been no demonstration so far, there can be no doubt 
that the prompt landing of the battalion has prevented bloodshed and 
saved life and property* 

The Provisional Government has organized an armed force of four 
companies, three of volunteers and one of regulars, and is daily gaining 
strength and followers. 

The conduct of the officers and men of the Boston has been such as 
to reflect credit on the American JSTavy. 

To-day at 9 forenoon, at the request of the Provisional Government, 
officially expressed, Honolulu and the Hawaiian Islands were placed 
through the United States Minister under the protection of the United 
States, pending negotiations at Washington, not however interfering 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 489 

with the administration of public affairs by the Provisional Govern- 
ment. 

Yery respectfully, 

G. C. Wiltse, 
Captain, TJ. S. Navy, commanding U. 8. 8. Boston. 

The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Dept., Washington, J). C. 



Captain Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navy. 

U. S. S. Boston (second rate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, February 8, 1893. 

Sir: I have the honor to report that the state of, political affairs in 
Hawaii has remained unchanged since my last report of February 1. 

As stated in that report the flag of the United States was raised 
over the Government building at 9 a. m. on February 1, the United 
States minister having been requested by the Hawaiian Provisional 
Government to assume a protectorate over the Hawaiian Islands. 

The battalion from this ship, under command of Lieut.-Commander 
W. T. Swinburne, marched from their quarters ashore to the Govern- 
ment building, arriving there at 8.40 a. m. 

The building was then turned over to me and the battalion was 
formed in front of the building. 

At 8.55 a. m., the proclamation to the Hawaiian people was read on 
the steps of the Government building by Lieut. W. E. Push the adju- 
tant of the battalion, and at 9 a. m. the flag w r as raised over the build- 
ing by my aide, Naval Cadet J. P. P. Pringle. 

Since the establishment of the protectorate martial law has been 
suspended, and the general feeling seems to be one of security and 
satisfaction. 

I inclose herewith copies of the request made to me by the United 
States minister and my order to Lieut. Commander Swinburne. 

The marine guard, under command of Lieut. H. L. Draper, is now in 
charge of the Government building, five of the guard being retained 
at the legation. 

On February 3, the company, under command of Lieut. Lucien Young, 
was withdrawn in accordance with an understanding between the 
President of the Provisional Government, the United States minister, 
and myself, the whole force being no longer deemed necessary. 

The President accompanied by other members of the Provisional 
Government paid an official visit to this ship on Friday, February 3, 
and were received with customary honors. 
Yery respectfully, 

G. C. Wiltse, 
Captain, U. 8. Navy, Commanding U. 8. 8. Boston. 
The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



490 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



John L. Stevens, envoy extraordinary and m inister plenipotentiary of the 
United States, to Captain Wiltse. 

United States Legation, 

Honolulu, February 1, 1893. 

Sir: The Provisional Go verninent of the Hawaiian Islands having 
duly and officially expressed to the undersigned the fear that said 
Government may be unable to protect life and property and to pre- 
vent civil disorder in Honolulu, the capital of said Hawaiian Islands, 
request that the flag of the United States may be raised, for the pro- 
tection of the Hawaiian Islands, and to that end confer on the United 
States, through the undersigned, freedom of occupation of the public 
buildings of the Hawaiian Government and the soil of the Hawaiian 
Islands, so far as may be necessary for the exercise of such protection, 
but not interfering with the administration of the public affairs by 
said Provisional Government. 

I hereby ask you to comply with the spirit and terms of the request 
of the Hawaiian Provisional Government, and to that end to use all 
the force at your command, in the exercise of your best judgment and 
discretion, you and myself awaiting instructions from the United 
States Government at Washington. 

I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

John L. Stevens, 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary 

of the Un ited States. 

Capt. G. 0. Wiltse, 

Commander of the U. S. S. Boston. 



Capt. Wiltse to Lieut. Commander Swinburne. 

U. S. S. Boston (second rate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, February 1. 1893. 
Sir: You will take possession of the Government building and the 
American flag will be hoisted over it at 9 a. m. 
Very respectfully, 

G. 0. Wiltse, 
Captain, U. S. $~avy, Commanding U. S. S. Boston. 
Lieut. Commander W. T. Swinburne, 

Commanding Battalion, U. S. S. Boston. 



Secretary of State to Secretary of Navy. 

State Department, 
Washington, February 14, 1893. 
Sir: Acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, 
communicating copy of a telegram from San Francisco containing the 
report of Capt. Wiltse, of the Boston, in regard to the action of Mr. 
Stevens and himself in extending protection for life and property in the 
Hawaiian Islands during the pending negotiations at Washington, I 
have the honor to hand you, for your information, copy of a telegram 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



491 



which I am about to send via San Francisco for transmission to the 
minister by the mail steamer sailing from that port to-morrow, the 
15th instant. 

You will observe that Mr. Stevens' action is commended so far as it 
lies within the scope of standing instructions to the legation and the 
naval commanders in Hawaiian waters, but is disavowed so far as it 
may appear to overstep that limit by setting the authority of the United 
States above that of the Hawaiian Government. 

I beg to draw your attention to the concluding paragraph of that 
telegram, and have to request that instructions in the same sense be 
forwarded at the same time to the commanding officer of the United 
States naval force in Hawaiian waters. 

The instructions conveyed by this telegram are more fully set forth 
in a written instruction to Mr. Stevens, to be sent by the next mail, of 
which a copy is inclosed for your further information. 

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 

John W. Foster. 

The Secretary of the Navy. 

[Inclosures.] 

1. Telegram to the U. S. minister at Honolulu, February 14, 1893. 

2. Instruction to the same, No. — , February 11, 1893. 



Capt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navy. 

IT. S. S. Boston (Second Bate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, February 27, 1893. 
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a ieport of the operations of the 
battalion of this ship while quartered ashore for duty made to me by 
Lieut. Commander W. T. Swinburne, he being in command of the bat- 
talion. 

Since the battalion has been quartered ashore the behavior of both 
officers and men has been commented upon by all parties as reflecting 
credit upon the American Navy. 
Very respectfully, 

Gr. C. Wiltse, 
Captain, 77. S.'Navy, Commanding 77. S. S. Boston. 
The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Capt. Wiltse to Lieut. Commander Swinburne. 

U. S. S. Boston (Second Bate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 16, 1893. 
Sir: You will take command of the battallion, and land in Hono- 
lulu, for the purpose of protecting our legation, consulate, and the 
lives and property of American citizens, and to assist in preserving 
public order. 

Great prudence must be exercised by both officers and men, and no 
cation taken that is not fully warranted by the condition of affairs and 



492 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

by the conduct of those who may be inimical to the treaty rights of 
American citizens. 

You will inform me at the earliest practicable moment of any change 
in the situation. 

Very respectfully, 

G. 0. Wiltse, 
Captain, TJ. 8. Navy, Commanding 77. 8. 8. Boston. 
Lieut. Commander W. T. Swinburne, TJ. S. Navy, 

Executive Officer, 77. 8. S. Boston. 

A true copy. 
W. T. Swinburne, 

Lieutenant- Commander, 77. S. Wavy. 



Capt Wiltse to Lieut. Commander Swinburne. 

TJ. S. S. Boston, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Lslands, February 1, 1893. 
Sir : You will take possession of the Government building, and the 
American flag will be hoisted over it at 9 a. m. 
Very respectfully, 

G. C. Wiltse, 
Captain TJ. 8. Navy, Commanding 77 8. 8. Boston. 
Lieut. Commander W. T. Swinburne, 

Commanding Battalion TJ. S. 8. Boston. 
A true copy. 
Wm. T. Swinburne, 

Lieut. Commander, TJ. 8. Navy. 



Lieut. Commander Siclnburne to Capt. Wiltse. 

Camp Boston, 
Honolula, Hawaiian Islands, February 27, 1893. 

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the landing- 
and subsequent operations of the battalion of the U. S. S. Boston in the 
city of Honolulu: 

In obedience to your order, a copy of which is attached, marked A, 
the battalion of the Boston landed at Brewers Wharf, in the city of 
Honolulu, at 5 p. m. January 16. 

The following is a complete roster of the battalion as landed: 

Lieut. Commander W. T. Swinburne, U. S. Navy, commanding; 
Lieut. W. E. Bush, U. S. Navy, adjutant; P. A. Surgeon T. C. Craig, 
IT. S. Navy, surgeon. 

Company A, Artillery, 40 men; 1.37 mm. Eev. Cannon; 1.37 mm. 
caisson with reserve ammunition; 1 Gatling gun; 22 Lee rifles, 18 
revolvers; Lieut. Lucien Young, commanding; Naval Cadets H. C. 
Kuenzli and W. Evans. 

Company B, Infantry, 35 men; Lieut. Charles Laird, TJ. S. Navy, 
commanding; Naval Cadet J. F. Carter. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



493 



Company C, Infantry, 34 men ; Lieut, D. Coffman, U. S. Xavy, com- 
manding; Naval Cadet W. D. Brotlierton. 

Company D, Marines, 30 men; First Lieut. H. L. Draper, U. S. Ma- 
rine Corps, commanding. 

Color guard, 4 men; liospital corps, 1 apothecary, 4 stretcliermen ; 
signalmen, 2; music, 3. 

Total, 153 men, 11 officers. 

Each man carried the regulation knapsack, with blanket and change 
of clothing, haversack with mess gear and ration of hard bread, and 
filled canteen. Those armed with Lee rifle wore the double webbing 
belt carrying 60 cartridges in the loops and 20 in magazines. The 
marines were fitted out with the same belts, but the loops onlv were 
filled. 

The ammunition boxes of the Gatling gun contained four filled 
Accle's Feeds and 1,380 extra rounds of .45 caliber in pasteboard boxes. 
The ammunition boxes of the 37 mm. contained 64 cartridges, common 
shell. Reserve ammunition in 37 mm. caisson was as follows : After 
compartments, 112 37 mm. cartridges, common shell; forward com- 
partment 1,600 caliber .45 cartridges in pasteboard boxes; top or cen- 
ter compartment, four filled Accle's Feeds, and 800 .38 caliber revolver 
cartridges. This amount of ammunition stowed safely and compactly 
and the caisson was easily drawn and manoeuvred by twelve men. The 
recharge for Accle's Feed, with its tripod, was lashed to whippletree of 
caisson. 

After battalion was formed, it was, agreeably to your verbal instruc- 
tions, marched first to the United States consulate, where Lieut. Draper, 
with his company, was detached with orders to proceed to the legation 
and leave half his command in charge of the orderly sergeant, return- 
ing with the remainder to the United States consulate, himself, and 
remain there as a guard until further orders. 

The remainder of the battalion then inarched down King street. In 
passing the palace the battalion, in column of companies, gave a march- 
ing salute, trumpeters sounding four ruffles in Jronor of the royal 
standard, which was flying there. 

On arriving at the residence of Mr. J. B. Atherton, an American, the 
command was halted, and permission having been obtained, was 
marched into the grounds, arms stacked and ranks broken, awaiting 
further orders from you. 

About 8 in the evening your aid, Naval Cadet Pringle, arrived with 
orders to march the battalion to Arion Hall and camp there, which was 
done, artillery parked, and sentries posted. 

Arion Hall is a long one-story building containing one long room, 
and having verandas on the two long sides, separated from the street 
by a narrow yard and fence, and with a fair- sized yard in rear. It 
fronts the side of the Government building, from which it is separated 
by a narrow street. 

During the night the men were kept ready for an instant's call, but 
there were no disturbances of any kind. 

At reveille the next morning, 17th, the camp routine, which is attached 
marked B, was published and has been strictly carried out in all its 
details ever since. Latrines were built in the yard and every sanitary 
precaution taken. 

At 2:30 p. in., a civilian, armed, reported to me that a policeman had 
been shot while attempting to stop a wagonload of ammunition which 
was being conveyed to the old armory where the civilian forces enrolled 



494 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



by the committee of safety were then assembling, and that a large 
crowd was collecting on Merchant street. I immediately assembled the 
battalion under arms in the yard in rear of the building to await 
developments. JVery shortly after you arrived at thecamp. During the 
time you were at the camp, viz, until nearly 6 o'clock, the men leading 
the citizens' movement had assumed charge of the Government build- 
ing without opposition of any kind; the civilian companies under arms 
had marched in and established a line of sentries about the Government 
building. 

The Boston's battalion was kept in rear of the camp, at their com- 
pany parades, with arms stacked. When you left the camp, about 0 
p. in., you notified me that a Provisional Government, of which Mr. S. 
B. Dole was presiding officer, was in complete possession, and showed 
me a letter from the United States minister recognizing it as the dc 
facto government of the Hawaiian Islands, and directed me to consider 
it as such. 

During the night again officers and men were kept ready for a 
moment's call, but the city was perfectly quiet. 

During the day of the 18th the royal standard was hauled down over 
the palace, and the household troops disbanded, by order of the Pro- 
visional Government, except a small guard of honor, who accompanied 
the ex-Queen to her residence on Beretania street. 

On January 19 new quarters were provided for the battalion at the 
unoccupied house on King street, the property of Mr. G. B. Bishop, of 
Bishop & Co., bankers of the place. Having thoroughly policed the 
old camp, the battalion moved into the new quarters at 1:30 p. m. 

The grounds around the new quarters have a frontage on King 
street of about 250 feet, separated from the street by a high stone wall 
witli two broad entrance gates giving on a broad path which sweeps 
around in front of the house, affording ample space for company 
inspection and morning guard mounting. The grounds are about 
300 feet in depth, with a broad lawn in the rear amply sufficient for 
company and artillery drill for one company at a time. The house is 
a square two story building of stone, with broad verandahs on three 
sides. The lower floor was occupied by the men, each company hav- 
ing its own room, the color guard and drum corps one room, a room for 
adjutant and officer of day, and one room and verandah on one side 
for guardroom. One out building was used for armory and lamp 
room, and one for sick bay and quarters for ambulance corps. As 
the place had been used at one time as a hotel there was already good 
water-closet and bathing accommodations for both officers and men. 
The upper story was occupied by the officers. A long shed was imme- 
diately built and water led in to six faucets, and proper drainage facil- 
ities for morning ablutions and scrubbing of clothes, which has added 
very materially to the comfort of the command and the sanitary condi- 
tion of the place. 

In accordance with your verbal orders given me the evening of Jan- 
uary 31, the battalion was paraded on the morning of February 1, at 
8:30, in front of the quarters. A Company as artillery with Gatling 
and 37 men. The rest as infantry in light marching order. 

As the line was formed you handed me a written order dated Feb- 
ruary 1, a copy of which is attached marked C. 

In obedience to those orders the battalion marched to the Govern- 
ment building, where we were received by the civilian troops in line, 
who presented arms as we entered. President Dole, and all members 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



495 



of the ministry and advisory council were also present. I immedi- 
ately showed your order to Col. Sofer, Commander in Chief of the 
Provisional Government forces, who at once turned over the custody 
of the building to me. Then by your order a proclamation from Min- 
ister Stevens establishing a protectorate over the Hawaiian Islands in 
the name of the United States, pending negotiations with the Hawa- 
iian Commissioners at Washington, was read by the adjutant. At 9 
a. m. the United States ensign was hoisted over the building, the bat- 
talion and civilian forces presenting arms. Then the front of tha batta- 
lion being changed to the rear, the Hawaiian flag, hoisted on the pole 
in the grounds, received the same salute. 

The civilian forces of the Provisional Government were then with- 
drawn and the custody of the building turned over to Lieut. Draper 
with his company of 25 marines, which were withdrawn from the 
United States consulate for the purpose, the guard at the United 
States legation being continued but reduced to 5 men. The blue 
jacket companies of the battalion then returned to their quarters. 

During the three nights preceding the 1st of February the town was 
full of rumors of a threatened attack on the Government building by 
adherents and sympathizers with the late monarchy, and all the 
troops of the Provisional Government were kept in the Government 
building with patrols about the place. The hoisting of the United 
States flag had the effect of at once stopping these rumors and restor- 
ing confidence, and appeared to be approved by everybody. 

My orders to Lieut. Draper were to consider himself responsible for 
the custody and safety of the Government building; to consult freely 
with the officers of the Provisional Government and carry out their 
wishes as to who should be admitted to the building and during what 
hours they should be admitted, and to do everything to facilitate pub- 
lic business. On the morning of February 4, at the request of Presi- 
dent Dole, the gates of the grounds of the public building were thrown 
open and everybody allowed free access from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m. Lieut. 
Draper was notified to that effect and directed to remove the sentinel 
from the front of the building during these hours. During the time the 
marines have occupied the Government building they have received 
the highest praise from all parties for their courtesy and military bear- 
ing. I would like to acid, also, that during their five weeks of service 
on shore there has not been a single report of infraction of regulations 
made against any one of them. 

On February 3, Company A, Lieut. L. Young, was withdrawn from 
garrison and sent on board ship, by your order. 

Since the protectorate was established everything has been perfectly 
quiet in the city. The garrison routine has been carried out with most 
careful attention to all military details. 

The afternoon company drills have been alternately artillery and 
infantry. Battalion drill has taken the place of morning dress parade 
in Palace Square. During this time, now nearly four weeks, the men 
have made great progress in all drills and their interest in all their 
military duties has never flagged. As a disciplinary school, particu- 
larly for petty officers, the experience has been very useful. 

This successful result is due to the zeal, tact, and attention to duty 
of the company officers. 

To the adjutant, Lieut. W. E. Rush, I am indebted for all the details 
of military organization, the sanitary condition of the camp, and for the 
very excellent condition in which the place has been kept. 



496 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

After nearly five weeks' occupancy by a hundred men both grounds 
and buildings are in better condition than when we arrived. 
Very respectfully, 

Wm. T. Swinburne, 
Lieutenant Commander, U. 8. Navy, 
Commanding Battalion of JJ. 8. 8. Boston. 
Gapt. G. 0. Wiltse, U. S. Navy, 

Commanding JJ. 8. 8. Boston. 



Approved : 

G. C. Wiltse 



Captain, JJ. 8. Navy, Commanding JJ. 8. 8. Boston. 



Admiral Skerrtft to the Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 28.] United States Flagship Mohican, 

Honolulu. Hawaiian Islands, February 27, 1893. 

Sir: In obedience to telegraphic orders of the Secretary of the 
Xavy, January 28, the Mohican was coaled and provisioned on the same 
day and left Mare Island on January 29, at about 6 a. m. for Honolulu. 

After a passage of twelve days we arrived at our destination just in 
time to see the O. O. steamer Belgic passing out to sea. We signaled 
to her to report us, but apparently she either did not or could not under- 
stand our signal made to her as we were passing Diamond Head, she 
being inshore of us. On our arrival it was found that the Boston and 
the Japanese war vessel, the Kongo, were at anchor, and that the 
United States ensign was displayed over the Government building. 
This was explained to me immediately on anchoring, by Capt. Wiltse, 
U. S. Navy, who reported that the flag had been hoisted at the request 
of the Provisional Government through the United States envoy, Mr. 
Stevens. 

Shortly after anchoring 1 made a visit to the United States minister 
where all things reported to me by Capt. Wiltse were fully corrobrated. 
It was learned that the political status remained as had been reported 
to the Department by Capt. Wiltse. After leaving the legation I 
made a visit with my staff upon the Provisional Government officials, 
and learned from them that everything at this place was quiet and in 
peaceable condition, and that they Avere most gratified by the present 
condition of things political. On the 12th instant, H. B. M. S. Garnet. 
Capt. Hughes-Hallet. E. X., anchored outside near the outer buoy. She 
saluted the Hawaiian flag and then saluted the United States Eear- 
Admiral with thirteen guns, which were duly returned, first by the 
Hawaiian shore battery and then by ourselves. I have made official 
visits of ceremony to return visits of a pleasing character from the 
captain of H. I. J. ship Kongo, who saluted me with thirteen guns, 
which was returned by the Mohican. 

On my visit to the Garnet, in consideration of a very recent salute 
having been made to me, I requested that none should be fired. This 
was complied with. 

From all information gleaned I am impressed with the idea that the 
Provisional Government are quite able to administer the affairs of the 
present Government, upheld as they are by the presence of our men 
, ashore. The stock of coal having been consumed on our passage down 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



497 



here, it was decided to coal tlie ship since our arrival, and now the 
bunkers are filled. 

The ship lias been visited, and received in accordance with reg- 
ulations, by the President and Vice-President and members of the 
Provisional Government, which seems to have produced a beneficial 
effect. 

On the visit of the Vice-President, he was accompanied by three 
Hawaiians of distinction. On the 28th instant, the Japanese vessel of 
war Naniwa Kan came in and anchored. She fired a salute of twenty- 
one guns to the Hawaiian flag, and then saluted the flag of the U. S. 
Bear- Admiral with thirteen guns, all of which were returned, gun for 
gnu. She moored near the Boston. On the 24th the governor of Oahu 
visited the ship and was duly received, and, on leaving, requested that 
he be not saluted. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Rear- Admiral, TJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station, 
The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. G. 



. Capt. Wiltse to the Secretary of the Navy. 

IT. S. S. Boston (second rate), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, February 28, 1893. 
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a resolution 
passed by the executive and advisory councils of the Provisional Gov- 
ernment of the Hawaiian Islands. 
Very respectfully, 

G. C. Wiltse, 
Captain, TJ. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S. Boston, 

The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Be it resolved by the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands as follows: 
That the thanks of this Government are due and are hereby tendered to Gilbert C. 
Wiltse, captain in the U. S. Navy, now commanding the United States steamship 
of war Boston, for his gallant, well-timed, and judicious conduct in protecting life 
and property in the city of Honolulu, upon the occasion of his landing his forces at 
the request of the United States envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary. 

That like thanks are due and are hereby tendered to the officers and men of the 
U. S. Navy who composed the landing force from the Boston, and whose discipline, 
forbearance, and gentlemanly conduct under circumstances of considerable annoy- 
ance and in several instances of much exasperation, entitle them to the gratitude, of 
the people of the Hawaiian Islands. 

Capt. Gilbert C. Wiltse and Officers of the U. S. S. Boston: 

Gentlemen : I have the honor hereby to inform you that the above resolution was 
unanimously passed by the executive and advisory councils of the Provisional 
Government of the Hawaiian Islands in session this day. 

James B. Castle, 
Secretary Executive and Advisory Councils. 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, 

February 27, 1893. 

H Ex. 48 32. 



498 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Admiral Skerrett to Secretary of the Wavy. 

No. 83.] U. S. Flagship Mohican, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, March 15, 1893. 
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that affairs of a 
political nature continue to progress favorably for the established Pro- 
visional Government, affairs evidently being kept quiet, from the fact 
that the Boston's battalion continues to remain on shore. 

Since my last letter H. B. M. S. Garnethas left for British Columbia, 
and on to-morrow the Japanese war vessel Kongo will leave for Japan. 

I have considered that for the present I can spare the presence of 
the Alliance. Therefore have ordered her to proceed to Mare Island, 
carrying some condemned sick, court-martial prisoners, and men whose 
terms of service expire prior to June next. I have directed her com- 
manding officer to rejoin this vessel here after such required repairs 
are made and her complement of officers and men are filled up, unless 
otherwise ordered by the Department. All of which, I trust, will meet 
the approval of the honorable Secretary of the Navy. 
Yery respectfully your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Bear-Admiral, U. S. Wavy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station. 

Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. G. 



Admiral Skerrett to Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 101.] IT. S. Flagship Mohican, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, March 29, 1893. 
Sir : I have the honor to inform the Department that political affairs 
at this place seem to go along quietly and without any apparent fric- 
tion; I regret to say, however, that there are a number of persons in 
this community who are greatly opposed to the Provisional Government, 
whether or not the opposition will ever amount to anything, is probably 
better known to the minister plenipotentiary, etc., than myself. 

I have thought it expedient to withdraw a portion of the Boston's 
battalion from shore, leaving on shore the marines and one company 
of (36) bluejackets, together with the requisite officers. I am of the 
opinion that the number will be sufficient. The Nankva Kan (Japanese 
man-of-war) has been outside, for apparent gun practice, for the last 
three days. Since my last communication the Alliance has left here, 
by my orders, for Mare Island, to make necessary repairs and exami- 
nation of her bottom, and to carry sick and others from the ships here. 
I have directed her return to this place, if not otherwise ordered. 
There is nothing further to communicate. 

Yery respectfully, your obdient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Bear-Admiral, 77. S. Navy. 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. G. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



499 



Admiral Skerrett to the Secretary of the Wavy, 

No. 112.] - U. S. Flagship Mohican, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, April 4, 1893. 
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, on the 29th ultimo, . 
of your. letter of instructions, dated March 11, 1893, the same having 
been delivered to me by the Hon. James H. Blount, Special Commis- 
sioner from the President of the United States to the Government ot 
the Hawaiian Islands. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Rear -Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station. 

Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. G, 



Rear-Admiral SJcerrett to Secretary Herbert, 

TJ. S. S. Mohican, Flagship of the Pacific Station, 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, April 6, 1893. 

Sir : Since my last of the 29th ultimo, I have to inform the Depart- 
ment of the arrival, after closing my mail on that day, of the U. S. E. S. 
Richard Rush, having on board Special U. S. Commissioner J. H. Blount. 
On March 31 I was called by Mr. Blount for a special interview, on 
which occasion, by his directions, I was ordered to withdraw the Boston's 
force from the shore and at 11 a. m. on April 1 to haul down the United 
States flag from the Government building, which was to be replaced 
by the Provisional Government hoisting the Hawaiian flag. These 
orders were promptly executed as directed. There was not the remotest 
evidence shown, by the crowd of natives and others about the Govern- 
ment building, of any feeling; no demonstration of any description. 
Since which time, by the advice of Mr. Blount, the guard that had been 
placed at the United States legation was allowed to be returned to that 
place. This was done to quiet the apprehensions of Minister Stevens. 
There has been no turmoil of any description on shore; peace and quiet 
have reigned throughout. The cadets will leave by this steamer and 
are ordered to report arrival on reaching San Francisco. The U. S. B. S. 
Richard Rush left for San Diego on the 5th instant, after I had had her 
supplied with eighty tons of coal from the Government coal pile. 

Political affairs remain as formerly stated. I would further state that 
the Boston's force was, before its withdrawal from shore, relieved at the 
Government building by one company of the Provisional Government's 
troops. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Rear- Admiral, U. S Navy, 
Commanding If. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station, 

Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D, 0. 



500 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Bear -Admiral Slcerrett to Secretary Herbert. 

IT. S. S. Mohican^ Flagship of the Pacific Station. 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, April 25, 1893. 
. Sir: I take pleasure to inform the department that the political con- 
dition remains about the same. The Provisional Government has its 
own troops quartered in the Government building, and there is no 
apparent indication of either uneasiness or apprehension on the part 
of the Government officials. Everything is moving on placidly. The 
detail of marines now at the United States Legation gives apparent 
comfort and contentment to the United States Minister. 

The U. S. S. Adams has not yet arrived; therefore the changes of 
officers ordered by the Department have not yet been carried out, but 
will be immediately on her arrival. The U. S. S. Mohican will be ready 
for sea, and her departure from this port on her cruise to Bering Sea, 
immediately after the arrival of the Adams. On the departure of the 
Mohican I will transfer the commander-in-chief's flag to the U. S. S. 
Boston, together with my two aides and retinue. For myself I purpose 
to take up my quarters on shore. I feel that I ought to ask the Depart- 
ment for an allowance for the pay of rent of a room for my office, leav- 
ing it to the Department to determine how much can be granted me. 

There is neither room nor conveniences either on board the Boston 
or on board the Adams for the accommodation of the commander-in- 
chief. It probably will be well to call attention of the Department to the 
fact that in fitting out the U. S. S. Mohican, to be flagship of the Pacific 
station, certain changes were authorized on board of her, for the comfort 
and convenience of the commander-in-chief, his staff, and the band. 
Neither of the ships that will be here have any of the conveniences I 
refer to; but, as I am told, that a proper flagship will be sent out here 
for my uses I am content to patiently await the arrival of said ship. 
Since my former letter H. B. M. S. Hyancinth has arrived, and is moored 
a short distance from the Mohican. Not being a saluting ship, she did 
not salute my flag. The usual visits were exchanged between the two 
ship's. H. I. J. M. S. Naniwa still remains in port. We are on pleasant 
and visiting terms with the officers of both ships. 



April 26th. 

I have to inform the Department of the arrival at 7 o'clock this morn- 
ing of the U. S. S. Adams from San Francisco. Health of officers and 
crew good. The changes of officers directed by the Department will 
be made to-day. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Bear -Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding TJ. 8. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 

Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C* 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



501 



Bear- Admiral Skerrett to the Seeretarg of the Navy. 

No. 150.] U. S. 8. Boston, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, May 4, 1893. 
Sir: The political status remains as I reported in my last letter. 
Everything is going on quietly. There seems to be an indication that 
the Provisional Government is gaining and increasing their friends. 

The orders of the Navy Department respecting the Mohican have 
been carried out by sending her to Port Townsend, she leaving here on 
the 1st day of May, having remained until that day in order to remove 
the accumulation of marine growth formed on her copper since our 
arrival here; in leaving she unfortunately fouled her propeller with a 
line or hawser that I suppose was unavoidably left hanging from her 
quarter, causing a delay of a few hours* Assistance was rendered by 
H. M. S. Hyacinth, and proffers of assistance offered by the command- 
ing officer of H. I. J. M. S. Naniwa. Asa matter of course the Boston 
rendered all the assistance in her power that was needed. Prior to 
the sailing of the Mohican the commander-in-chief's flag was trans- 
ferred to the Boston, as was also the commander-in-chief's retinue. 

At the request of Commander Ludlow, 1 granted permission to him 
to carry to Port Townsend, as a guest of the wardroom officers of the 
Mohican, Mr. 0. H. Wetmore. The health of the officers and crew of 
the ships remaining here is excellent. Reports of changes of officers, 
etc., have been mailed. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Bear-Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding U. 8. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Bear-Admiral Skerrett to the Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 175.] U. S. S. Boston, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Haicaiian Islands, May 23, 1893. 

Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that, because of 
the continued agitation among people of certain classes m and about 
Honolulu, I have found it necessary to retain the presence here in this 
harbor of both the Boston and the Adams, this preventing; these ships 
from going out to sea for target practice, in accordance with Depart- 
ment Regulations; but I am of the impression that these orders of the 
Department will be carried out, in accordance with the Regulations, 
in the near future, doubtless prior to the end of June, that being the 
end of the quarter. The two marines who were detailed at the United 
States legation, at the instance of the Hon. J. L. Stevens, United 
States minister, etc, have been returned to their ship, their services 
being no longer considered necessary. 

Commissioner Blount to-day presented his credentials, being in the 
form of the letter accrediting him to the Provisional Government as 
United States Minister etc. ; this letter he presented to President Dole, 
he being at the head of the Provisional Government. He was ceremo- 



502 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



niously received at the Government building by the authorities, in the 
presence of the Provisional Government troops. As neither myself nor 
my aids were invited to be present, I can not detail precisely what oc- 
curred. I am of the opinion, however, that everything passed off satis- 
factorily. There has been some friction occasioned from a letter writ- 
ten by Mr. Charles JSordhoff, to the paper of which he is the corre- 
spondent, the Few York Herald, with reference to the condition of 
affairs at this point. The United States minister, Col. Blount, thought 
it necessary to call the Provisional Government's attention to the posi- 
tion occupied by this gentleman as a distinguished United States citi- 
zen. I am led to believe that this gentleman will receive such protec- 
tion as the Provisional Government can extend to him. He was to have 
been brought to day before the provisional advisory council; whether 
or not such was the case I am unable to tell. There is apparently some 
agitation existing among some foreign residents who are opposed to the 
Provisional Government, and it is barely possible that trouble may en- 
sue, in which event directions have been given for the immediate land- 
ing, if required, of both the battalions of the ships here, to protect the 
property and lives of citizens of the United States. I hope, however, 
that there will be no necessity for such an occurrence. 

To-morrow being the anniversary of the birthday of Her Majesty 
Queen Victoria, I have directed the commanding officers of both ships 
to full dress the ships, with the English ensign at the main, and that 
the Boston should at noon fire a national salute, in accordance with 
regulations. The dressing of the ships having been requested by the 
commanding officer of H. B. M. S. Hyacinth; the firing of the salute, 
I have thought proper to direct to be done myself, as is ordinarily done 
under such circumstances. . 

Health of officers and crew at present time is good. H. I. J. M. S. 
Naniwa left on the 11th instant for Japan. Ex-United States Min- 
ister John L. Stevens leaves for the United States in the steamer to- 
morrow. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Bear- Admiral U. S. Wavy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. G. 



Bear- Admiral Skerrett to the Secretary of the Navy. 

STo.181.] U. S. S. Boston, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, May 31, 1893. 

Sir : I have the honor to state that the Boston left this port on the 
29th instant for Lahaina, Maui, for target practice, in accordance with 
regulations. On her departure I hoisted the flag of the commander in 
chief on the Adams, where it will remain until the return of the Boston, 
which will probably be the latter part of this week. 

Yesterday being Memorial Hay, I, accompanied by my staff, partici- 
pated in the exercises, by invitation of the George W. De Long Post, 
No. 45, Grand Army of the Bepublic. 

I have information from the commanding officer of H. B. M. S. 
Hyacinth that she will depart for Tahiti to-morrow, although 1 have 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



'503 



learned through the newspapers here that the royalists- party have 
requested that she shall not leave. Late interviews held with officers 
attached to that ship lead nie to infer that she will proceed on her 
destination to Tahiti. 

The observance of the birthday of Queen Victoria and my participa- 
tion by dressing ship and firing a salute, was very gratifying to the 
British minister and the commanding officer of the Hyacinth, who each 
personally expressed their thanks to me for the compliment I had paid 
to them. 

The observance of Memorial Day, which was participated in, as I have 
said, by myself and aids, was also participated in by the United States 
minister, Col. Blount, and the United States consul-general, which 
seems to have been very much appreciated by these good people. 

The condition of political affairs remains about the same. I believe 
the Provisional Government is daily adding to its adherents, and in my 
opinion appears to be firmly and solidly established. As is usual under 
all circumstances in this place, there are many wild rumors afloat, one 
of which was that the Provisional Government will be overturned by 
the royalist party, and Liliuokalani again placed upon the Hawaiian 
throne. I am informed by perusal of the local papers, and also by one 
of the Provisional council, that Mr. Olaus Spreckels has demanded 
repayment from the Provisional Government of the indebtedness of the 
Hawaiian Government to him, in the sum of $95,000. Whether or not 
this demand has been made with a disposition of worrying and crippling 
the Provisional Government is not known to me, but surmises of that 
kind have been advanced, Mr. Spreckels having stated some while ago 
that he was in no hurry for the payment of his money, as he preferred 
to draw the interest on it as an investment. But it appears to me to 
be needless to call attention to the many flying rumors that are in cir- 
culation. As I have stated, I am of the opinion that the Provisional 
Government is solidly and firmly established, and that their rule is 
bringing quiet and contentment to the Islanders. 

The health of officers and crew of both the Boston and Adams is good. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Rear -Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding TT.*S. Nav al Force, Pacific Station. 

The Secretary of the navy, 

Navy Department, W ashington, D. 0. 



Bear-Admiral SJcerrett to the Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 203.] U. S. S. Boston, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Haivaiian Islands, June 21, 1893. 
Sir: Since the forwarding of my last communication, No. 181, of 
May 31, 1893, relative to the political state of affairs in the Hawaiian 
Islands, I have the honor to state that no changes have occurred in 
the same that require any sj)ecial report. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Rear -Admiral, JJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding U. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
The Secretary of the Navy, 

Nary Department, Washington, D. C. 



504 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Admiral Skerrett to the Secretary of the Xary. 

Honolulu. Hawaiian Islands, Jane 28, 1893. 

Sir: Since my last letter with reference to the state of political 
affairs, I must inform the Department that the stability and solidity of 
the Provisional Government is not considerd to be all that had so im- 
pressed me formerly. Yery recently three arrests have been made of 
persons considered to be conspirators. When these cases were brought 
before the court, the attorney-general, it would appear, had not se- 
cured sufficient evidence to make a ease against them ; therefore asked 
for a continuance for a time specified ; they were so continued without 
bail, the persons being held in custody* It would appear that the iron 
heel of military law is really what serves to keep the Provisional Gov- 
ernment in authority. 

There are a great many in this community, as well as others on the 
islands, who are opposed to this Government. There have been many 
rumors of contemplated uprisings as well as rumors of contemplated 
assassinations. I simply report it for what it is worth. I have been 
generally impressed by the quietness and orderliness of the native 
population; but they are, in my opinion, easily led and impressed by 
designing men, who for their own low aims are, or would be, willing 
even to commit murder or assassination to secure their ends. One of 
the Government officials said to Minister Blount that he considered the 
condition of affairs here as bad as it had ever been. This, I suppose, 
had reference to the fixedness and popularity of the Government. 
They were not elected by the vote of the people, and it is believed were 
it submitted to a popular vote the present Government would be ousted. 
Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett. 



Admiral Skerrett to the Secretary of the Navy. 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, July 25, 1893. 

Sir : In my last letter, commenting on the political condition of affairs 
here, I informed the Department that my faith in the stability and fix- 
edness of the Provisional Government was a good deal shattered. I 
have now to inform the Department that the cases of the conspirators 
referred to in that letter has progressed so far that two are held for 
trial before the court to assemble in August on the charge of conspiracy ; 
that one has been discharged. This action in regard to the charge 
brought against them inspires me with the hope that they will be con- 
victed. Kecently the attention of the Provisional Government has 
been given to the disease among the natives known as leprosy, they 
being anxioris to extinguish that disease. Several of the persons so 
afflicted had congregated and were living on the Island of Kauai. 

The Government determined to arrest these persons and to convey 
them to Molokai, to the leper settlement. To accomplish this a mili- 
tary force, together with policemen, were sent to arrest and bring them 
to Honolulu. One of the lepers, who was known to be a dangerous 
man, secreted and strengthened himself in one of the ravines on the 
Island of Kauai and held the force at bay. In the attempt to arrest 
this person three of the Government men were killed. This man is 
still at large and other means are being tried in order to arrest the 
person. The only way in which this evil may be stamped out is in the 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



505 



segregation and ultimate watchf illness and care given to them. This 
means is being tried by the Provisional Government, and I think it 
will result in the eventual success and extinguishment of the disease. 
This Government is certainly successfully doing what it can to benefit 
the whole community in these islands, and although there is mnch 
opposition to them, I believe the means employed to attain the good of 
all will eventually bring them success and win to their side many who 
are now in opposition to them. 

They progress in the government of these islands most successfully, 
and surely the government they now give the people is the best that 
they have ever had. I believe in their eventual success and have im- 
plicit faith in them. At present perfect quiet reigns, as far as I am 
able to judge, and also from the reports in the newspapers published 
here in Honolulu. This is all I have to report upon with reference to 
the political status. I speak in this letter on the subject of leprosy for 
this reason : that, in my opinion, the opposition evinced against the 
means now being used by the Provisional Government has shown that 
the adverse political party are opposed to segregation by force used by 
the Government. It is for this reason that I apparently treat in the 
letter on two subjects, whereas it is but one. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett. 



Bear- Admiral Skerrett to the Secretary of the Wavy. 

No. 252.] U. S. S. Boston, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, August 14, 1893. 
SiB: I have the honor to inform the Department that, on the 8th of 
August, Col. Blount, the United States minister, sailed for home, leav- 
ing me to act as the diplomatic representative until a new United States 
minister reported for duty. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Bear Admiral TJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding TJ. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Bear-Admiral Skerrett to the Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 253.] U. S. S. Boston, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, August 14, 1808. 
Sir: I have the honor to report that the political condition remains 
as previously reported. All is quiet and orderly, the Provisional Gov- 
ernment remains as stable and satisfactory as before mentioned, and 
there seems to be no evidence of any dissatisfaction. 
Very resi^ectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Bear Admiral TJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding TJ. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



506 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



Bear- Admiral SJcerrett to the Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 281.] U. S. S. Boston, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, September 12, 1893, 
Sir: (1) I have, to report as follows with respect to the political 
status at this place: The Provisional Government continues to display 
the same courageous disposition to control, and to display their power 
to direct and to lead these people in the right way towards self-govern- 
ment for the benefit of all concerned. 

(2) The three x>ersons arrested and tried for conspiracy have been 
again set at liberty ; not to the disadvantage of the Government, for 
the arrest and trial showed evidence of the proper disposition to guard 
against such things as conspiracies and evil intent, and also showed 
the intention to punish all such offenders with the utmost rigor of the 
law. 

(3) At the present time all things move along most agreeably. 
President Dole has gone to the other islands to recruit his health, which 
has been somewhat pulled down by constant and assiduous work in 
behalf of his people. His intention was to be absent about one month. 
When he departed the shore battery saluted him with twenty-one guns 
and I gave instructions to do the same on board the Boston. 

(4) There is not the remotest evidence of "any disposition to give 
trouble to the Provisional Government. 

(5) In conversation recently with Her Britannic Majesty's minister 
he asked me if I had any instructions about giving protection to other 
than United States citizens. I replied that my own instructions were 
to give protection to none but United States citizens and their property. 
He remarked, then I will have to request my government to send a 
ship here to give protection to Her Majesty's legation should it be 
needed, so I dare say we will have English ships sent here. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Bear Admiral TJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding TJ. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Bear- Admiral SJcerrett to the Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 350.] U. S. S. Philadelphia, 

Flag-ship of the Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, October 10, 1893. 

Sir: (f) Since my last letter I have to report that the Provisional 
Government continues to be stable, and able to govern and direct these 
islands for the greatest benefit of all; whether or not its numbers of 
friends increase seems to be a question, yet there is every appearance 
that its friends are increasing and its objects for good government 
shown in every way. 

(2) The President of the Provisional Government has been absent 
nearly the whole month of September and is still absent, recuperating 
on the island of Hawaii. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



507 



(3) The Russian Government has recently informed the Provisional 
Government, through a letter from the secretary of foreign affairs in 
Russia, that the Government recognizes and seeks a continuance of 
good will and amity with what is designated the Republican Govern- 
ment of Hawaii. This has made the good people here very happy, 
especially those who are designated as annexationists. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Rear-Admiral, JJ. S. Navy, 
Commanding IT. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station, 

Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Bear-Admiral Skerrett to Secretary Herbert 

Navy Pay Office, 
San Francisco, Cal, November 16 r 1893. 
Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Depart- 
ment's letter of November 6 last, and in reply to the honorable 
Secretary's inquiry respecting my previous letter regarding British 
subjects, etc., I -beg to say the friendly relations that had for years 
existed between Her Britannic Majesty's representative in Hawaii and 
myself, which was renewed on my again visiting Hawaii after an ab- 
sence of many years, became quite as cordial as formerly, and in the 
conversation I detailed to the Department I simply told Maj. Wode- 
house what my instructions were, but I did not say to him that I would 
not accord the protection that was warranted by the acts of comity 
that have been so frequently afforded under like circumstances on 
other occasions. When I received the Department's reply to my letter 
giving me that authority, I sought Maj. Wodehouse, and told him of 
my latest instructions, telling him how gratified I was to have the 
directions that so pleasantly accorded with my own wishes. I here 
furnish the Department with a copy of the instructions I first received. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. Skerrett, 
Bear -Admiral, U. S. Navy. 

Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. G. 



Washington, August 16, 1893. 
I desire to impress upon you iu the absence of Minister Plenipotentiary Blount 
that your sole duty is confined to that of an officer of [the] Navy* although it is to 
he performed in the spirit of the instructions of Mr. Blount, which doubtless have 
been seen by you. 

Protect American (United States) citizens and American (United States) prop- 
erty, but do not give aid, physical or moral, to either party contending for the Gov- 
ernment at Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. 

Herbert. 



508 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

Admiral Irwin to Secretary of the Navy* 

No. 2.] U. S. S. Philadelphia 

(Flagship of the Pacific Station), 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, November 10, 1893. 
Sir: I have the honor to inform yon that on the 9th instant I, ac- 
companied by my personal staff, called officially on the United States 
Minister to Hawaii, the Hon. A. S. Willis. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

John Irwin, 
Rear- Admiral IT. S. Navy, 
Commanding JJ. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C, 



Admiral Invin to Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 3.] U. S. S. Philadelphia, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, November 13, 1893. 
Sir: (1) I have the honor to inform you that on the 9th instant I, 
accompanied by my personal' staff, called officially on Her Britannic 
Majesty's minister resident, Maj. James Hay Wodehouse. 

(2.) That, on the 11th instant, in company with the United States 
minister and accompanied with my personal staff, I called on the Pres- 
ident and executive council of the Provisional Government of the 
Hawaiian Islands. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ' 

John Irwin, 
Bear-Admiral, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding U. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Rear -Admiral Irwin to Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 4.] U. S. S. Philadelphia, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, November 14, 1893. 
Sir : (1) I have the honor to report that I have this day received the 
United States minister officially with the usual honors. 

(2) That I have freely consulted with him in regard to the situation 
here. 

(3) I have carefully studied the instructions of the Department; they 
are perfectly clear to me, and will be carried out to the best of my ability. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

John Irwin, 
Rear- Admiral XI. S. Navy, 
Commanding U. S. Na val Force, Pacific. Station. 
Hon. Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



509 



Admiral Irivin to Secretary of the Navy. 

No. 5.] U. S. S. Philadelphia, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Haivaiian Islands, November 15, 1893. 
Sie : I have tlie honor to report that I have this day received the 
following official calls: Her Britannic Majesty's minister resident, Maj. 
James Hay Wodehouse; United States consul-general, Hon. Ellis 
Mills. They were received with the nsnal honors. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

John Irwin, 
Hear -Admiral U. S. Navy, 
Commanding United States Naval Force Pacific Station. 
The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 



Admiral Irwin to Secretarg of the Navy. 

No. 6.] IT. S. S. Philadelphia, 

Flagship of the Pacific Station, 
Honolulu, Haivaiian Islands, November 16, 1893. 
Sir : I have the honor to report that I have this day received on 
board the flagship an official oall from the Hon. S. B. Dole, President 
of the Provisional Government, accompanied by his staff and the 
members of the executive council. They were received with the usual 
honors. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

John Irwin, 
Bear-Admiral, TJ. S. Navy 7 
Commanding JJ. S. Naval Force, Pacific Station. 

The Secretary of the Navy, 

Navy Department, Washinton, D. C. 



Admiral Irivin to Secretary of the Navy. 

[Telegram.] 

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, December 4. 

(Via B. C, December 12.) 

Secretary of Navy, 

Washington, D. C: 
Confidential. Provisional Government they have 1,000 men under 
arms. Palace prepared for defence. Party feeling intense, but no 
outbreak anticipated at present. 

Irwin. 



© 



CORRESPONDENCE 



WITH 



DIPLOMATIC AM) NAVAL OFFICERS 



CONCEKNTNGr 



THE BELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES 



TO THE 



HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, 



INCLUDING 



A REPRINT OF SENATE EXECUTIVE DOCUMENTS NO. 76 AND 
NO. 77, FIFTV-SECOND CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION. 



WASHINGTON : 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING 

1893. 



OFFICE. 



uS?£ RY 0F CONGRESS 



,0 019 944 304 5 



